Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ruth 1:12
Turn again, my daughters, go [your way]; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, [if] I should have a husband also tonight, and should also bear sons;
12. I am too old to have an husband ] Naomi does not seriously contemplate any application of the custom alluded to: not only has she no surviving sons, but she never can have any.
If I should say etc.] Strictly, ‘that I should have said, I have hope’ (scil. of children). For the grammar cf. Gen 40:15 (‘that they should have put me’), 1Sa 17:26 b.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Go your way.
Quest. Why doth she dissuade them from this journey, and not rather persuade them to go with her, and to embrace the Jewish religion?
Answ. 1. Possibly she thought such dissuasion might be the best way to persuade them, as it oft happens; especially in that sex.
2. She would not have them rashly and inconsiderately to embrace the Jewish religion, in hopes of some advantage from it, which she justly thought they would be disappointed of; and withal, exposed to many straits and troubles, and on that occasion revolt from the true religion, which would be far worse than never to have embraced it. And therefore she doth justly, and wisely, and piously in representing to them the truth of the business, and the outward inconveniences which would accompany the change of their place and religion; as also our blessed Lord Christ did, Mat 8:20.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12, 13. Turn again, my daughters, goyour wayThat Naomi should dissuade her daughters-in-law sostrongly from accompanying her to the land of Israel may appearstrange. But it was the wisest and most prudent course for her toadopt: first, because they might be influenced by hopes which couldnot be realized; second, because they might be led, under temporaryexcitement, to take a step they might afterwards regret; and, third,because the sincerity and strength of their conversion to the truereligion, which she had taught them, would be thoroughly tested.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Turn again, my daughters, go your way,…. This she repeated still to try their affections to her, and especially whether there was any real love to the God of Israel, his people, and worship, but still proceeds upon the same topic:
for I am too old to have an husband; and can never think of marrying again on account of age, nor can you surely ever think I should, at these years I am now arrived to:
if I should say I have hope; of marrying, and bearing children; suppose that:
if I should have a husband also tonight; be married to a man directly, suppose that:
and should also bear sons; conceive and bear, not female but male children, allow that; all which are mere suppositions, and, could they be admitted, would not furnish out any reason why you should be desirous of going with me.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. I am too old to have a husband She urges, in addition, the utter improbability of her having another husband or other sons, and hence the propriety of their return to their mothers’ homes, where, as young widows, they might be happily married again.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go [your way]; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, [if] I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Ver. 12. Turn again, my daughters. ] A probational persuasion, as Rth 1:8 , that she might sound them to the bottom.
For I am too old to have an husband.
If I should have an husband also tonight, and should also bear sons.
a Bernard.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
should say = should have said.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
too old: Gen 17:17, 1Ti 5:9
I should have: or, I were with
Reciprocal: Deu 25:5 – husband’s brother Luk 20:28 – General