Ruth 1:14

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpha kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her people; but Ruth followed her.

Ruth 1:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ruth 1:14

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again
Not being able to bear the thought of parting, or that they must be obliged to it:

and Orpah kissed her mother in law;
gave her the parting kiss, as the Jews ^F5 call it; and which was used by other people ^F6; but not without affection to her, and took her leave of her, as her kiss testified, since it must be so; and being moved by her reasons, and having a greater inclination to her own country than Ruth had; of the kiss at parting, see ( Genesis 31:28 ) ( 1 Kings 19:20 )

but Ruth clave unto her;
hung about her, would not part from her, but cleaved unto her in body and mind; forsaking her own people, and her father's house; neither the thought of them, nor of her native country, nor of not having an husband, or any likelihood of it, nor of poverty and distress, had any manner of influence upon her, but determined she was to go and abide with her.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 70. fol. 62. 4. Shemot, sect. 5. fol. 94. 4.
F6 "----discedens oscula nulla dedi". Ovid. ep. 3. ver. 14.

Ruth 1:14 In-Context

12 Turn now, my daughters, for I am too old to be married: for I said, Suppose I were married, and should bear sons;

13 would ye wait for them till they should be grown? or would ye refrain from being married for their sakes? Not so, my daughters; for I am grieved for you, that the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpha kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her people; but Ruth followed her.

15 And Noemin said to Ruth, Behold, thy sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods; turn now thou also after thy sister-in-law.

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following thee; for whithersoever thou goest, I will go, and wheresoever thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people my people, and thy God my God.