Ruth 1:22

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.

So Naomi {H5281} returned {H7725}, and Ruth {H7327} the Moabitess {H4125}, her daughter in law {H3618}, with her, which returned {H7725} out of the country {H7704} of Moab {H4124}: and they came {H935} to Bethlehem {H1035} in the beginning {H8462} of barley {H8184} harvest {H7105}.

This is how Na'omi returned, with Rut the woman from Mo'av, her daughter-in-law, accompanying her from the plain of Mo'av. They arrived in Beit-Lechem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

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 Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Commentary

Context

Ruth 1:22 marks a pivotal moment in the Book of Ruth, concluding the first chapter's narrative of loss and transition. After a decade of living in Moab following a famine in Judah, Naomi, a widow who had lost her husband Elimelech and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, decides to return to her homeland. Her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, initially set out with her. However, Naomi urged them to return to their own people. While Orpah reluctantly left, Ruth famously pledged her unwavering loyalty, declaring she would go wherever Naomi went and that Naomi's God would be her God. This verse details their arrival in Bethlehem, the town of their ancestors, signifying the end of their arduous journey from Moab and the beginning of a new, hopeful chapter.

Key Themes

  • Return and Restoration: Naomi's physical return to Bethlehem, meaning "house of bread," symbolizes a spiritual and hopeful return from a place of emptiness and death (Moab) to the land of promise and potential provision. It's a testament to hope even after profound loss and a demonstration of God's leading.
  • Unwavering Loyalty and Faith: Ruth's presence underscores her remarkable devotion to Naomi and, implicitly, to the God of Israel. Her identity as "Ruth the Moabitess" is consistently highlighted, emphasizing her foreign origin and making her commitment even more profound. This sets the stage for her eventual acceptance and vital role within the Israelite community.
  • Divine Timing and Providence: Their arrival in Bethlehem "in the beginning of barley harvest" is not coincidental. This precise timing is crucial, as it immediately opens doors for Ruth to glean in the fields, a practice ordained by God for the poor and sojourners (see Leviticus 23:22). This divinely orchestrated timing sets the stage for her encounter with Boaz and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, ultimately leading to Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of David and Christ (Matthew 1:5).
  • New Beginnings: The arrival at the time of harvest symbolizes new life, provision, and the promise of abundance after a period of barrenness and sorrow. It signifies a fresh start for both women, particularly for Ruth, who is about to find favor and a future in an unfamiliar land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "returned out of the country of Moab" is repeated, emphasizing the completion of their journey and the significant transition from a foreign, pagan land back to the Israelite homeland. The consistent use of "Ruth the Moabitess" throughout the book, even after her full integration, serves to highlight God's inclusive grace and the remarkable journey of this foreigner who ultimately became a key figure in salvation history.

Practical Application

Ruth 1:22 offers powerful lessons for today. It reminds us that even in the aftermath of deep sorrow and loss, God can orchestrate new beginnings. It highlights the profound impact of loyalty, compassion, and self-sacrifice, demonstrating how a foreign woman's unwavering devotion to her mother-in-law opened the door to her own salvation and blessing. Furthermore, the verse underscores God's perfect timing and providence; He works through seemingly ordinary circumstances, like the agricultural calendar, to fulfill His grand purposes. Our own journeys back to God or to a place of hope may begin humbly, but they often carry the promise of future blessing and restoration, much like sowing in tears to reap in joy.

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Cross-References

  • Ruth 2:23 (5 votes)

    So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

  • 2 Samuel 21:9 (2 votes)

    And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell [all] seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first [days], in the beginning of barley harvest.

  • Exodus 9:31 (1 votes)

    And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley [was] in the ear, and the flax [was] bolled.

  • Exodus 9:32 (1 votes)

    But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they [were] not grown up.