What Does Ruth 1:18 Mean in the King James?
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Ruth’s “steadfast mind” is literally her strengthening herself, and that strength is what ends Naomi’s words.
THE MEANING
The verse meets you when a decision has become visible: Ruth’s willingness to go with Naomi has settled into strength. Naomi sees that resolve and stops speaking; the moment no longer needs persuasion.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that commitment must keep explaining itself: sometimes resolve is clear enough to let speech end.
THE ROOT
מִתְאַמֶּצֶת
mitʾammeṣet
GROWS FROM
אמץ
ʾ-m-ṣ
To be strong or firm; to strengthen.
“steadfastly minded” in this verse is mitʾammeṣet. The Hebrew form describes Ruth making herself firm, not merely holding an opinion. The same root speaks of courage and strengthening, so her resolve carries the sense of strength gathering within her.
ALSO GROWS
ʾĕmāṣ: An imperative form of the same root.
אֱמָץ
The root that describes Ruth firming herself is also used for the call to be courageous in Joshua 1:9.
vĕyaʾămēṣ: A form meaning “he will strengthen,” from Psalm 31:24.
וְיַאֲמֵץ
Here the same root describes a heart being strengthened, revealing firmness as something that can take hold within a person.
וַתֶּחְדַּל
vatteḥdal
GROWS FROM
חדל
ḥ-d-l
To cease, leave off, or stop.
“left speaking” in this verse is vatteḥdal. The text says Naomi ceased speaking when Ruth’s resolve became clear. This root also describes people leaving off a task, so Naomi’s silence marks a real stopping point: persuasion has run its course.
ALSO GROWS
vayyaḥdelû: They stopped building the city, in Genesis 11:8.
וַיַּחְדְּלוּ
The same verb names an action coming to an end, as Naomi’s speech does here.
ḥādelû: The inhabitants of the villages ceased, in Judges 5:7.
חָדְלוּ
The root can describe a cessation that changes what can happen next, just as Naomi’s silence follows the recognition of Ruth’s decision.
THE PATTERN
When resolve becomes visible, persuasion gives way to silence.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.THE THREAD
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Ruth’s מִתְאַמֶּצֶת (mitʾammeṣet, “strengthening herself”) and Joshua’s אֱמָץ (ʾĕmāṣ, “be courageous”) grow from the same root, אמץ. Her resolve is the strength of that root gathering within her as she goes with Naomi.
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