When they entered 3 Bethlehem, 4 the whole village was excited about their arrival. 5 The women of the village said, 6 “Can this be Naomi?” 7
1 tn 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).
2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
3 tn The temporal indicator וַיְהִי (vayÿhi, “and it was”) here introduces a new scene.
4 map For location see Map5-B1; Map7-E2; Map8-E2; Map10-B4.
5 tn Heb “because of them” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “excited to see them.”
6 tn Heb “they said,” but the verb form is third person feminine plural, indicating that the women of the village are the subject.
7 tn 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).
8 tn The cohortative here (“Let me go”) expresses Ruth’s request. Note Naomi’s response, in which she gives Ruth permission to go to the field.
9 tn Following the preceding cohortative, the cohortative with vav conjunctive indicates purpose/result.
10 tn Heb “anyone in whose eyes I may find favor” (ASV, NIV similar). The expression אֶמְצָא־חֵן בְּעֵינָיו (’emtsa’-khen bÿ’enayv, “to find favor in the eyes of [someone]”) appears in Ruth 2:2, 10, 13. It is most often used when a subordinate or servant requests permission for something from a superior (BDB 336 s.v. חֵן). Ruth will play the role of the subordinate servant, seeking permission from a landowner, who then could show benevolence by granting her request to glean in his field behind the harvest workers.
11 tn Heb “she”; the referent (Naomi) has been specified in the translation for clarity.