One day Naomi said to Ruth, “My daughter, it’s time that I found a permanent home for you, so that you will be provided for.
Parallel translations
- WEB Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
- KJV Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
- BSB One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek a resting place for you, that it may be well with you?
- NKJV Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?
- NASB Then her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may go well for you?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Naomi resolves to seek 'rest'—a secure home through marriage—for Ruth. Her care moves the story toward redemption and marriage.
Overview
Naomi now actively seeks Ruth's welfare, aiming to find her the 'rest' of a settled household she earlier prayed for (1:9). This reflects renewed hope and selfless love after her season of bitterness. Naomi's plan will bring Ruth to Boaz and lead to the redemption that blesses them both and the line of David.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ruth 1:9May Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices, and wept.
- 1 Tim 5:8But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- 1 Tim 5:14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.
- Ps 128:2For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.
- 1 Cor 7:36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
- Jer 22:15–16“Shall you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.
- Deut 4:40You shall keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land, which Yahweh your God gives you, forever.
- Gen 40:14But remember me when it will be well with you, and please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Boaz the kinsman-redeemer who buys back the destitute and takes a bride foreshadows Christ, our Redeemer who pays the price to make a people his own; and from Ruth's line comes David, and David's greater Son.
How Ruth 3:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.