Ruth 1:20
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
Ruth 1:20 (KJV)
Context
The Book of Ruth is a narrative from the Old Testament. It tells how a Moabite woman named Ruth journeyed from loss to redemption. The story takes place during the time of the Judges in Israel, a period marked by famine and distress.
Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons left Bethlehem because of a famine and settled in Moab. There, Elimelech and both sons died, leaving Naomi a widow with her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah. When Naomi heard that the Lord had given bread to His people in Bethlehem, she decided to return. Ruth 1:20 records her words to the women of Bethlehem who greeted her.
Meaning
Naomi asks to be called “Mara” instead of “Naomi.” The name “Naomi” means “pleasant” or “delightful,” while “Mara” means “bitter.” By requesting this change, she expresses the depth of her sorrow. She says, “for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” The Hebrew word for Almighty is Shaddai, a name that stresses God’s power and sovereignty over human affairs.
Naomi does not hide her pain. She speaks honestly about her grief and attributes her suffering to God’s hand. Her words are not a denial of God’s goodness but a candid acknowledgment of her painful experience. She believes that her circumstances are not accidental or outside God’s control. This is a lament, a form of prayer that brings raw emotion before God. In the Old Testament, lament is a faithful way to cry out to Him, not a sign of unbelief.
Biblical connections
Naomi’s lament is part of a larger story of redemption. Although she sees her situation as bitter, the narrative shows God at work. Through Ruth’s faithfulness and Boaz’s kindness, Naomi receives restoration. The birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David, becomes a sign of God’s redemptive purpose. This connection shows that God can bring hope out of despair, even when His people cannot see it at the moment. The same Almighty who allowed bitterness also works quietly to restore joy.
Application
Naomi’s example teaches believers to be honest with God about their emotions. Grief and pain are real, and expressing them does not show a lack of faith. Her words also remind readers that God’s sovereignty includes difficult times. Believers can trust that God is at work even when they feel bitter or broken.
Naomi’s request to be called Mara shows that suffering can change how a person sees herself. Yet the rest of the book reveals that her identity is not fixed by her pain. God’s faithfulness brings restoration, and her bitterness turns to joy. This encourages readers to hold on to hope, knowing that God’s purposes are not defeated by hardship.
Reflection
Naomi’s words invite readers to consider their own response to suffering. Do they acknowledge their pain honestly, or do they hide it? Her example shows that lament can be an act of trust, because it places the burden before the Almighty. The same God who dealt bitterly with Naomi also worked through Ruth to bring blessing. His power is great enough to transform bitterness into joy, and His faithfulness endures through every season of grief.
