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."

Elimelech's Family Migrates to Moab

1
In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. ​
2
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 Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there. ​
3
Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4
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 lived there about ten years.
5
Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of 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
She went out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.
8
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me. ​
9
The LORD grant you that you 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
They said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”
11
Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? ​
12
Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;
13
would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.” ​
14
They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.
15
She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.” ​
16
Ruth said, “Don’t entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; ​
17
where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.” ​
18
When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

Naomi and Ruth Arrive in Bethlehem

19
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. When they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was excited about them, and they asked, “Is this Naomi?” ​
20
She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. ​
21
I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” ​
22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who 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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