The answer is: Mara

Ruth 1:20 - that is, "bitter". Compare this to the bitter waters of Marah in Exo 15:23.

In the book of Ruth, when Naomi returns to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons, she poignantly renames herself Mara, which means "bitter." This reflects the profound grief and disillusionment she feels from her tragedies. It’s a deeply human moment, one that invites readers to consider the emotional weight of loss and identity.

The name change immediately recalls another biblical instance: the bitter waters of Marah in Exodus 15:23. There, the Israelites grumbled against Moses after venturing out of Egypt and coming upon undrinkable waters. Like the grumbling Israelites, Naomi expresses her own bitterness—not against God, but against her circumstance. Yet there's something beautiful hidden in her despair.

Historically, some scholars note that Bethlehem, where Naomi returns, means "house of bread." This irony underlines how life’s difficulties can turn a place of nourishment into a symbol of barren hardships, not unlike the way that Marah’s waters symbolized a lack of sustenance.

Delving deeper, it's interesting that Naomi's journey sets the stage for Ruth's devotion. Ruth, the Moabite outsider, actually steps into Naomi’s bitterness to help transform it. This contrast emphasizes a timeless theme: amidst devastation, relationships can flourish and bring hope, fortifying our spirits through companionship and love. So, even within hopelessness, the seeds of resilience often lie theatrically close!