Introduction to Ruth

The Historical Books

How to Study the Bible

1:1 the days when the judges ruled The judges were local leaders raised up by Yahweh to deliver the tribes of Israel from their enemies. Their role was often to serve as military leaders for a time to face a specific enemy (e.g., Othniel in Judg 3:7–11 or Gideon in Judg 6:1–8:21).

a famine in the land Famines were common in the ancient world. The exact circumstances of this famine are unknown. Usually caused by a lack of rain (1 Kgs 18:1–2), famines sometimes resulted from an enemy’s siege (2 Kgs 25:1–3). God is sometimes depicted in the ot as using famine as a means of punishment (Lev 26:18–20; Deut 28:23–24; Isa 3:1).

Famines in the Bible Table

Bethlehem of It is ironic that a famine has afflicted Bethlehem, which means “house of bread.” This city in the territory of Judah was the home of the family of David (1 Sam 17:12) and eventually came to be known as the city of David (Luke 2:4). In the Gospels, Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus Christ (Matt 2:1; Luke 2:1–7), fulfilling the prophecy of Micah (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:5–6).

to reside Famines often forced people to temporarily relocate to regions where food was available (Gen 12:10; 26:1–3; 47:4).

Moab The territory east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. Judah’s closest neighbor to the east. Moab and Israel were often in conflict. Their history of mutual animosity adds depth to Ruth’s proclamation of loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 1:16).

1:2 Naomi The name Naomi is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “pleasant.” See note on Ruth 1:20.

1:3 Elimelech the husband of Naomi died The family experiences tragedy with the death of Elimelech.

1:4 Moabite wives Israelites were commanded not to intermarry with the surrounding Canaanite nations (Deut 7:1–4), but intermarriage with the Moabites was not explicitly forbidden. However, Moabites were forbidden from entering the assembly of Yahweh because of their mistreatment of the Israelites during their time of wandering in the wilderness (Deut 23:3–6).

ten years Both Orpah and Ruth may have been barren (see 4:13), as 10 years would have been enough time for the couples to conceive. It was after 10 years of barrenness that Sarah encouraged Abraham to conceive with Hagar (Gen 16:1–3).

1:5 without her two sons and without her husband Naomi’s situation is truly dire because a widow with no heirs would be unable to support herself. Given her age, it is also unlikely that Naomi could remarry (Ruth 1:11–12).

1:6 Yahweh had come to the aid of his people God is viewed as the one who provides for His people (Deut 10:18; 28:8; Pss 104:14; 136:25; Ezek 16:19). The Hebrew verb describing God’s action is paqad, a term with a remarkable range of meanings including visit, supervise, inspect, appoint, enroll, remember, pay attention to, and care for. The context in which the word is used does not always clarify what particular sense was intended, but its usage here suggests the meaning that God was attentive to His people and cared for their needs (compare Exod 3:15–17).

1:8 each of you return Naomi encourages her daughters-in-law to go back to their families. They were probably young enough that they could remarry (Ruth 1:9).

May Yahweh show kindness to you The Hebrew term used here, chesed, speaks to God’s covenantal love, faithfulness, mercy, favor, and kindness (Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9; 1 Sam 20:14; Psa 118:29; Isa 54:10).

Chesed Word Study

1:9 in the house of her husband Naomi wants Orpah and Ruth to return home and remarry.

1:11 my daughters Naomi refers to them as her “daughters” rather than her “daughters-in-law,” suggesting their relationship was very intimate.

Are there sons in my womb that may be husbands for you? Naomi is past the age of childbearing and cannot produce an heir for Orpah or Ruth to marry. Naomi argues that it would be better for them to return home where they will have a chance to remarry. The practice of levirate marriage, where a surviving brother would marry his widowed sister-in-law, provides the background for Naomi’s words in Ruth 1:11–13 (see Deut 25:5–10; compare Gen 38). These marriages preserved a family’s inheritance, maintained the memory of the deceased (Ruth 4:5), and provided support for the widow. An extension of the practice to the nearest male relatives factors into later events in which Naomi and Ruth seek help from Boaz as a redeemer (2:20; 3:9; 4:1–12; compare Lev 25:25).

1:13 the hand of Yahweh has gone out After experiencing famine, the death of her husband, and the death of both her sons, Naomi is convinced that Yahweh is against her. She argues that Orpah and Ruth will have a chance at a better life if they part ways (Ruth 1:8).

1:14 Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Orpah is not criticized for choosing to return to her home.

1:15 to her people and to her gods Nationality in the ancient Near East was closely tied to religion. For Orpah and Ruth, going back to their people included returning to the deities of that land. Conversely, for Ruth, the choice to follow Naomi is also the choice to worship Yahweh (v. 16) The main Moabite deity was Chemosh (see Num 21:29 and note; 1 Kgs 11:7).

1:16 Your people will be my people Rather than returning to her family, Ruth chooses to leave her homeland to live the difficult life of a widow in a foreign land.

your God will be my God Ruth’s devotion to Naomi’s God is striking considering Naomi has just ascribed her difficulties to God’s hand being against her (see note on Ruth 1:13).

1:17 Yahweh Ruth uses the divine name Yahweh, illustrating that she is indeed viewing Naomi’s God as her God.

1:18 she was determined to go with her Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi. The word mith'ammetseth (“determined”) here comes from the word amats, denoting strength, firmness, and persistence. Ruth strengthened herself against Naomi’s objections (vv. 11, 15).

1:19 they came to Bethlehem They returned to Naomi’s hometown after she was away for at least a decade. See note on v. 1.

1:20 Mara The name Mara means “bitter.” Given her circumstances, Naomi thinks “bitter” is a more fitting name than “pleasant” (see note on v. 2). However, she is never referred to as Mara because—despite her claim—Yahweh did not deal bitterly with her (see 4:14–15).

1:21 Shaddai has brought calamity upon me Naomi attributed the loss of her husband and sons to God. The term ra'a', meaning “to bring calamity,” is often used when someone accuses God of unjustly doing harm (Exod 5:22; Num 11:11; 1 Kgs 17:20). Like Job, Naomi felt God had become her enemy (Job 16:9; 19:11). However, just as with Job, Naomi’s tragedy was part of a larger series of events that would result in God’s blessing (Ruth 4:14–15).

1:22 Ruth the Moabite Ruth’s non-Israelite ethnicity is emphasized throughout the book (2:2, 6, 21; 4:5, 10). Foreigners were generally excluded from worship (e.g., Exod 12:43; Ezek 44:9) and often viewed as enemies (Isa 1:7). There were even separate laws for dealing financially with foreigners (Deut 15:3). Against this backdrop, the story of a Moabite widow receiving Yahweh’s favor and being included in the lineage of David (Ruth 4:17–22) is remarkable.

the beginning of the harvest of barley The chapter’s ending contrasts with its opening setting of a famine. Naomi left Bethlehem with her husband and sons because of famine. Now, she returns with Ruth at the time of harvest, when food would be plentiful.