Rut 1:19 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ 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. ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.}

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

When they entered ^{▼▼ The temporal indicator וַיְהִי (vay^ehi, “and it was”) here introduces a new scene.} Bethlehem, ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.} the whole village was excited about their arrival. ^{▼▼ Heb “because of them” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “excited to see them.”} The women of the village said, ^{▼▼ 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?” ^{▼▼ 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).}