Ruth1

During a famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons migrated to Moab. After Elimelech and both sons died, leaving Naomi a widow, she resolved to return to Judah. Though her daughter-in-law Orpah returned to her people, Ruth pledged unwavering loyalty to Naomi, her people, and her God. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest, where Naomi expressed her deep sorrow, asking to be called "Mara."
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Elimelech's Family Migrates to Moab

1
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. ​
2
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. ​
3
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. ​

Naomi Urges Her Daughters-in-Law to Return

6
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. ​
7
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. ​
9
The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. ​
10
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? ​
12
Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13
Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me. ​
14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15
And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. ​
16
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or 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
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. ​
18
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

19
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? ​
20
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. ​
21
I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? ​
22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. ​

Study Notes for Ruth 1

Verse 1

The phrase "in the days when the judges ruled" places the story in a time of spiritual and political instability (Judges 17:6). The move from Bethlehem (meaning “House of Bread”) to Moab, an enemy territory, highlights the desperation caused by the famine.

Verse 2

The family is identified as Ephrathites, indicating their established lineage in the Bethlehem area. The names Mahlon and Chilion may be descriptive, meaning 'Sickness' and 'Pining' respectively, perhaps foreshadowing their early demise.

Verse 5

The triple tragedy leaves Naomi entirely destitute. According to ancient customs, she is left without male heirs to protect her inheritance or ensure her economic survival, placing her in a precarious social position.

Verse 6

Naomi hears that YHWH (the LORD) has 'visited his people,' a theological term meaning God has acted redemptively, reversing the famine and providing sustenance in Judah, prompting her return.

Verse 8

Naomi blesses Orpah and Ruth, acknowledging that they had shown loyal love ('hesed') to the deceased and to her. She releases them from the obligation of staying with her, recognizing the difficulty of their future as foreign widows in Judah.

Verse 9

The 'rest' (Hebrew: *menuhah*) Naomi wishes for them refers primarily to security and stability, which in that culture was typically found through remarriage and establishing a new household.

Verse 11

Naomi explains the practical impossibility of the levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5–10) applying. She has no sons, nor is she physically able to bear sons who could eventually marry them, thus freeing them from any legal obligation.

Verse 13

Naomi interprets her overwhelming suffering as the direct 'hand of the LORD' against her. This reflects a common ancient understanding that misfortune was divine judgment, framing her experience in terms of divine affliction.

Verse 15

Orpah’s decision to return to her people and 'her gods' highlights the radical nature of Ruth's subsequent commitment. Orpah chooses cultural and religious security over the uncertain path with Naomi.

Verse 16

Ruth's vow is the theological climax of the chapter, shifting the focus from familial loyalty to covenant commitment. Her declaration, 'thy God my God,' marks her conversion and full commitment to YHWH, the God of Israel.

Verse 17

The formal oath structure emphasizes the absolute, irrevocable nature of her commitment, binding her life to Naomi’s until death. This extreme loyalty ('hesed') defines Ruth's character throughout the book.

Verse 19

The town’s reaction shows how deeply the community felt the loss of Elimelech's family and how shocking Naomi’s appearance was after a decade of tragic hardship.

Verse 20

Naomi ('Pleasantness') demands to be called Mara ('Bitter'). This self-designation powerfully expresses her grief and her perception that God (Shaddai/Almighty) has actively afflicted her.

Verse 21

She contrasts her triumphant departure ('full'—with husband and sons) with her desolate return ('empty'). This lament frames her tragedy as a direct action of the LORD (Yahweh) and the Almighty (Shaddai).

Verse 22

The mention of Ruth as 'the Moabitess' reinforces her foreign origin, setting up the challenge of her integration into the community. Their arrival at the beginning of barley harvest signals a time of provision and potential hope.

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