1:6
Section 1:6–22
Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth
This section talks about the next main event of the story, which is Naomi’s return to Bethlehem, accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Ruth.
Many scholars agree that verses 1:7–21 describe this event in detail, and that verse 1:22 is the closing verse of this section, which summarizes the event.
However, scholars do not agree about the function of verse 1:6. Some scholars believe that verse 1:6 is a summary introduction. It says that Naomi arose (she and her daughters-in-law) and returned from the region of Moab. Thus, this section begins and ends with a summary description of the main event.
Some other scholars do not believe that verse 1:6 is a summary introduction. Rather 1:6 describes the first part of the action. It says that she arose (she and her daughters-in-law) and prepared to return from the region of Moab.
The majority of versions follow the second suggestion. However, the first suggestion follows a pattern that is also in some other Hebrew narratives. An event is introduced by a summary statement, and the verses after it describe that event in detail. See the Note on 1:6b for more information.
Here are some other examples of section headings:
Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem (New International Version)
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Naomi and Ruth Return (New Living Translation (2004))
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Departure from Moab (God’s Word)
Paragraph 1:6–7
1:6a
When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food: This verse part gives the reason why Naomi returned to Bethlehem. She heard that the LORD had provided food for his people. The famine had ended, so she no longer needed to remain in Moab.
When Naomi heard: The verse does not indicate when Naomi heard the news from Israel. However, it was some time after her sons died.
Here are some other ways to indicate when Naomi heard the news:
Then Naomi heard (New Living Translation (2004))
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While Naomi was in Moab, she heard (New Century Version)
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Some time later Naomi heard (Good News Translation)
The verse leaves implicit that the news came from Israel. If this information is not clear to your readers, it may be helpful to make it explicit. For example:
When Naomi in Moab heard news from Israel
that the LORD had attended to His people: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as attended to is literally “visited.” The word means “pay attention to” or “observe with care.”
Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:
that the LORD had shown his care for his people (Revised English Bible)
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that the LORD had shown concern for his people (NET Bible)
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that the LORD had blessed his people (New Living Translation (2004))
by providing them with food: This line explains the way that the LORD came to the aid of his people. The verse does not say how he provided food. However, this statement implies that the LORD had sent rain to Israel, so that grain and other crops were able to grow again. It may be helpful to your readers to make some of this information explicit. Your translation should not give the impression that the LORD gave them food directly and miraculously.
Here are some ways to make more explicit how the LORD provided food for his people:
reversing the famine by providing abundant crops (NET Bible)
-or-
by giving them good crops again (New Living Translation (2004))
1:6b
she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab: This verse part is more literally “and she arose she and her daughters-in-law and she returned from the region of Moab.” The Hebrew phrase “she arose…and she returned” is a Hebrew idiom that introduces the event of Naomi’s return that follows in 1:7–21. In Hebrew the verbs “arose” and “returned” are singular, with Naomi as the subject.
There are two possible functions of this idiom:
• The function of the idiom is to introduce the first part of Naomi’s return to Bethlehem from Moab. It refers to her decision or preparation to return. For example:
So she decided to return home from the region of Moab, accompanied by her daughters-in-law (NET Bible)
-or-
So Naomi land her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. (New Living Translation (2004))
• The function of the idiom is to introduce a summary of Naomi’s return to Bethlehem from Moab. It refers to the entire event. For example:
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law and she returned from the region of Moab.
The Display will follow the first option, since it is followed by a majority of versions. However, both options have merit. You will need to decide which option to follow for your translation. For more information, see the comments for section 1:6–22.
General Comment on 1:6a–b
The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions have reordered the verse parts. In some languages, it may be more natural to follow the Hebrew order, which first gives Naomi’s action, and then the reason for her action. For example:
Naomi prepared to return from Moab with her daughters-in-law, because she had heard in Moab that the LORD had helped his people by giving them food.
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