Ruth 1:12

12 Go back, my daughters; go your way; for I'm too old to have a husband. Even if I were to say, 'I still have hope'; even if I had a husband tonight and bore sons;

Ruth 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Ruth 1:12

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.

Ruth 1:12 In-Context

10 They said to her, "No; we want to return with you to your people."

11 Na'omi said, "Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb who could become your husbands?

12 Go back, my daughters; go your way; for I'm too old to have a husband. Even if I were to say, 'I still have hope'; even if I had a husband tonight and bore sons;

13 would you wait for them until they grew up? Would you refuse to marry, just for them? No, my daughters. On your behalf I feel very bitter that the hand of ADONAI has gone out against me."

14 Again they wept aloud. Then 'Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. But Rut stuck with her.