Rut 1:19 | NET2full | STEP | 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 ?”

‏ Ruth 1:19

19 So the two of them ^{▼▼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).} journeyed together until they arrived in Bethlehem.

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

When they entered ^{▼▼tn The temporal indicator וַיְהִי (vayehi, “and it was”) here introduces a new scene.} Bethlehem, the whole village was excited about their arrival. ^{▼▼tn Heb “because of them” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “excited to see them.”} The women of the village said, ^{▼▼tn Heb “they said,” but the verb form is third person feminine plural, indicating that the women of the village are the subject.} “Can this be Naomi?” ^{▼▼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).}