Naomi
She went out full and came home empty — but the story wasn’t over.
Old Testament · c. 1100 BC · Ruth · Also known as Mara
About Naomi
Naomi left Bethlehem during a famine with her husband and two sons. In Moab, all three men died. Returning home with only her daughter-in-law Ruth, she asked to be called Mara — "bitter." Yet through Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s kindness, Naomi ended the story holding a grandson in her arms.
Naomi’s honesty about her grief is striking. She speaks of God dealing "very bitterly" with her without being rebuked. The book of Ruth lets lament and faith sit side by side.
The story
Famine
"In the days when the judges ruled… there was a famine in the land." Naomi, her husband Elimelech and their two sons left Bethlehem — the "house of bread" — for Moab.
Ruth 1:1-2
Call me Mara
Ten years later she returned with only Ruth. The town buzzed: "Is this Naomi?" "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara," she said, "for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty."
Ruth 1:19-21
A plan for Ruth
When Ruth came home from Boaz’s field, Naomi saw God’s kindness at work again. "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
Ruth 2:19-3:4
A grandson in her arms
When Obed was born, the women said, "Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman." "Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom." The woman who came home empty went home full.
Ruth 4:13-17
Key moments
- Leaves in a famine: From Bethlehem to Moab. (Ruth 1:1)
- Bereaved: Husband and both sons die. (Ruth 1:5)
- "Call me Mara": Grief spoken honestly. (Ruth 1:20-21)
- Holds Obed: Not left without a kinsman. (Ruth 4:14-16)
Questions about Naomi
In meetBible these answers are given in Naomi’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you ask to be called Mara?
"Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty." Naomi means "pleasant." After losing my husband and sons, it didn’t fit. Scripture lets me say that honestly.
Did you want Ruth to come with you?
At first I urged both daughters-in-law to return to their mothers’ houses: "The LORD deal kindly with you." Orpah went. Ruth refused. "When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her." Ruth chose me before I chose her.
What changed for you?
Nothing changed overnight. A meal of barley, a kind landowner, a plan, a wedding, a baby. At the end the women said, "Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman." I held my grandson. The empty woman was full again.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Ruth 1.