1:5a

both Mahlon and Chilion also died: This clause tells what happened after the ten years that are described in the previous clause. Both of Naomi’s sons died. The word also refers back to the death of Elimelech. It may give attention to the fact that all of Naomi’s male family members were gone. She not only lost her husband, but also her sons.

Here is another way to translate this verse part:

Then Naomi’s two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died.

1:5b

and Naomi: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and Naomi is literally “and the woman.” The Hebrew phrase does not make explicit Naomi’s name. It is the same pattern as the summary introduction in 1:1, in which Elimelech and his family members are not named. For that reason, 1:5b may be a summary closing to this section. Some versions translate this phrase literally. For example:

so the woman (NET Bible)

Translate this phrase in a natural way in your language.

Here are some ways to indicate the connection of 1:5b to the previous clause. Either of these options is acceptable:

• Indicate that this clause talks about the result of the death of her sons. For example:

so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband (English Standard Version)

• Indicate that this clause talks about the next situation in the story. For example:

and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons (Good News Translation)

was left without: The Hebrew expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as left without is literally “and she was left the woman from.” The verb translated as left is the same as in 1:3b. See how you translated it there.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

Then Naomi, bereaved of her two sons as well as of her husband. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and the woman was left with neither (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

Now Naomi had no husband or sons. (Contemporary English Version)

her two sons and without her husband: The sons are mentioned first in this phrase. A reason may be to give attention to Naomi’s loss. However, in some languages, it may be more natural to translate this phrase in a different order, since her husband died first, then her sons. For example:

and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons. (Good News Translation)

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as her two sons is literally “both her children.” The Hebrew word “children” normally refers to young children, not grown sons.

Here are two possible explanations why the Hebrew word for “children” is used here:

• It expresses the deep pain that Naomi felt.

• It forms a pair with Ruth 4:16, which has the same word.

Consider translating this phrase as “both her children” if in your language it is a natural way to refer to grown sons that expresses Naomi’s extreme grief.

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