Text -- Ruth 1:19 (NET)

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

1:19 So the two of them journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. The women of the village said, “Can this be Naomi?”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rut 1:19

¹ tn The suffix “them” appears to be masculine, but it is probably an archaic dual form (E. F. Campbell, Ruth [AB], 65; F. W. Bush, Ruth, Esther [WBC], 75-76).

² map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

³ tn The temporal indicator וַיְהִי (vayÿhi, “and it was”) here introduces a new scene.

⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

⁵ tn Heb “because of them” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “excited to see them.”

⁶ tn Heb “they said,” but the verb form is third person feminine plural, indicating that the women of the village are the subject.

⁷ tn Heb “Is this Naomi?” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV). The question here expresses surprise and delight because of the way Naomi reacts to it (F. W. Bush, Ruth, Esther [WBC], 92).