¹ 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.

¹ tn Naomi uses the feminine form of the word “servant” (as Boaz did earlier, see v. 8), in contrast to Ruth’s use of the masculine form in the preceding verse. Since she is concerned for Ruth’s safety, she may be subtly reminding Ruth to stay with the female workers and not get too close to the men.

² sn Ruth’s devotion to Naomi is especially apparent here. Instead of receiving a sure blessing and going home (see v. 8), Ruth instead takes on a serious responsibility and subjects herself to potential divine punishment. Death, a power beyond Ruth’s control, will separate the two women, but until that time Ruth will stay by Naomi’s side and she will even be buried in the same place as Naomi.

⁴ tn Heb “everything which you are saying I will do.” The Hebrew word order emphasizes Ruth’s intention to follow Naomi’s instructions to the letter.

³ tn Heb “Who are you?” In this context Naomi is clearly not asking for Ruth’s identity. Here the question has the semantic force “Are you his wife?” See R. L. Hubbard, Jr., Ruth (NICOT), 223-24, and F. W. Bush, Ruth, Esther (WBC), 184-85.

⁴ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ sn Clung tightly. The expression suggests strong commitment (see R. L. Hubbard, Jr., Ruth [NICOT], 115).

² tn Heb “she”; the referent (Ruth) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Heb “the name of the one [was] Orpah and the name of the second [was] Ruth.”

² sn This was a huge amount of barley for one woman to gather in a single day. It testifies both to Ruth’s industry and to Boaz’s generosity.

¹ sn This summarizing statement provides closure to the first part of the story. By highlighting Ruth’s willingness to return with Naomi, it also contrasts sharply with Naomi’s remark about being empty-handed.

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 tn Heb “of your hands.” This law was later applied in the story of Ruth who, as a poor widow, was allowed by generous Boaz to glean in his fields (Ruth 2:1-13).

² sn The expression build houses may mean “establish families” (Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; Prov 24:27).