Ruth 1:20

“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

In Context

19So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women of the town exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

21I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”

Read all of Ruth 1

Cross References

Genesis 43:14May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Exodus 15:23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.)

Job 6:4For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Job 11:7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

Psalms 73:14For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

Isaiah 38:13I composed myself until the morning. Like a lion He breaks all my bones; from day until night You make an end of me.

Matthew Henry on Ruth 1:20-22

Naomi's Reception at Bethlehem. ( b. c. 1312.) 19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So Naomi… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ruth 1:20