Also see definition of "Mara" in Word Study
Study Dictionary
Mara
In Bible versions:
Mara: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV
wife of Elimelech; mother-in-law of Ruth the Moabitess
bitter; bitterness ( --> same as Marah)
bitter; bitterness ( --> same as Marah)
Hebrew
Strongs #04755: arm Mara'
Mara = "bitterness"1) a name that Naomi called herself due to her calamities
4755 Mara' maw-raw'
for 4751 feminine; bitter; Mara, a symbolic name ofNaomi:-Mara.
see HEBREW for 04751
Mara [EBD]
bitter; sad, a symbolical name which Naomi gave to herself because of her misfortunes (Ruth 1:20).
MARA [SMITH]
(sad, bitter), the name which Naomi adopted in the exclamation forced from her by the recognition of her fellow citizens at Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:20)MARA [ISBE]
MARA - ma'-ra, mar'-a (marah, "bitter"): The term which Naomi applies to herself on her return from Moab to her native country (Ruth 1:20). Changed beyond recognition, she creates astonishment among her former acquaintances, who ask, "Is this Naomi?" She replies, "Call me not Naomi" (i.e. "pleasant" or "sweet"), but "call me Mara" (i.e. "bitter"). In the light of her bitter experience, and her present pitiable plight, the old name has become peculiarly inappropriate.
Also see definition of "Mara" in Word Study