Ruth 1:20 · KJV

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

King James Version

Passage Context

¹⁸When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

¹⁹So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

²⁰And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

²¹I 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?

²²So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

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Reflection Questions

How do you cope with feelings of bitterness?

What does it mean for you to experience loss?

When have you felt that God was dealing bitterly with you?

Life Application

grief

Acknowledge your feelings of grief and seek support from others.

faith

Trust that God can bring healing even in your bitterness.

People in This Verse

NaomiOT

Naomi is a key figure in the Book of Ruth, known for her resilience and faith during difficult times. She faced the loss of her husband and sons, leading her to return to Bethlehem.

First appearance: Ruth 1:1

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem(Bethlehem today)

Bethlehem is a small town in Judea, known as the birthplace of David and later Jesus. It was a significant location for the Israelites.

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