经文研读
Ruth 1:16–17 — Ruth’s Steadfast Pledge
Ruth commits herself irrevocably to Naomi and to Naomi’s God.
经文
- 16.路 得 說 ： 不 要 催 我 回 去 不 跟 隨 你 。 你 往 哪 裡 去 ， 我 也 往 那 裡 去 ； 你 在 哪 裡 住 宿 ， 我 也 在 那 裡 住 宿 ； 你 的 國 就 是 我 的 國 ， 你 的 神 就 是 我 的 神 。And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
- 17.你 在 哪 裡 死 ， 我 也 在 那 裡 死 ， 也 葬 在 那 裡 。 除 非 死 能 使 你 我 相 離 ！ 不 然 ， 願 耶 和 華 重 重 地 降 罰 與 我 。where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.
这段经文的意思
Ruth refuses Naomi’s request that she return, binding her future to Naomi’s destination and dwelling. Her repeated first-person statements make the pledge personal and comprehensive: wherever Naomi goes, Ruth will go; wherever Naomi stays, Ruth will stay.
The commitment extends from companionship to shared identity. Ruth takes Naomi’s people as her own people and Naomi’s God as her own God, so leaving Naomi would mean turning away from the community and God to which she now binds herself.
Ruth seals the promise with death and burial, asking Jehovah to deal harshly with her if anything except death separates them. Verse 18 then recognizes that her purpose is fixed, and the two continue toward Bethlehem together.
背景
Naomi has lost her husband and sons and urges both daughters-in-law to return. Orpah leaves after further pleading, while Ruth clings to her; Naomi then tells Ruth to follow Orpah back to her people and god.
Ruth’s response reverses the expectation created by that command. Her resolve is shown again in verse 18, and the chapter’s movement from Moab to Bethlehem presents the pledge as the decisive step in their shared journey.
常见问题
Why does Ruth say “thy people” and “thy God”?
The phrases show that Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi includes joining Naomi’s community and identifying Naomi’s God as her own God.
What does Ruth promise concerning death and burial?
She promises to die and be buried where Naomi dies, invoking Jehovah’s judgment if anything other than death separates them.
How does the passage portray Ruth’s decision?
It portrays her decision as steadfast and deliberate: Naomi stops urging her only after recognizing that Ruth is fully determined to go with her.