Bible Commentary


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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.

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 Why 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 to the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said to her two daughters in law, Go, return each 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 And they said to her, Surely we will return with you to your people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will you 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 you tarry for them till they were grown? would you stay for them from having husbands? no, my daughters; for it grieves 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 joined to her.

15 And she said, Behold, your sister in law is gone back to her people, and to her gods: return you after your sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or 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 ought but death part you and me.

18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking to her.

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 to them, Call me not 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 then call you me Naomi, seeing 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, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.


the judges: Jdg 2:16, Jdg 12:8

ruled: Heb. judged

a famine: Gen 12:10, Gen 26:1, Gen 43:1, Lev 26:19, Deu 28:23, Deu 28:24, Deu 28:38, 2Sa 21:1, 1Ki 17:1-12, 1Ki 18:2, 2Ki 8:1, 2Ki 8:2, Psa 105:16, Psa 107:34, Jer 14:1, Eze 14:13, Eze 14:21, Joe 1:10, Joe 1:11, Joe 1:16-20, Amo 4:6, Beth-lehem-judah, Jdg 17:8, Jdg 19:1, Jdg 19:2

Reciprocal: Jdg 17:7 - General 1Sa 22:3 - the king 2Ki 4:13 - among mine 1Ch 8:8 - in the 2Ch 6:28 - if there be dearth Dan 2:44 - in the days Mat 2:5 - General Act 13:20 - he gave

Elimelech: The Rabbins say, that Elimelech was the son of Salmon, who married Rahab; and that Naomi was his niece.

Naomi: Rth 1:20

Mahlon: It is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joash and Saraph, mentioned in 1Ch 4:22.

Ephrathites: Gen 35:19, 1Sa 1:1, 1Sa 17:21, Mic 5:2

continued: Heb. were

Reciprocal: Gen 35:16 - Ephrath Gen 48:7 - Rachel Jdg 17:7 - General Rth 4:11 - Ephratah 1Ki 11:26 - an Ephrathite Psa 132:6 - at Ephratah

and she was: 2Ki 4:1, Psa 34:19, Heb 12:6, Heb 12:10, Heb 12:11

they took: The Targum says, "they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and took to them strange women."

wives: Deu 7:3, Deu 23:3, 1Ki 11:1, 1Ki 11:2

Ruth: Mat 1:5

am 2696, bc 1308, An, Ex, Is, 183

Mahlon: Deu 32:39, Psa 89:30-32, Jer 2:19

died: The Targum adds, "And because they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and joined affinity with strange people, therefore their days were cut off."

and the woman: Isa 49:21, Mat 22:25-27, Luk 7:12

Reciprocal: Rth 1:8 - the dead Isa 47:9 - these two

visited: Gen 21:1, Gen 50:25, Exo 3:16, Exo 4:31, 1Sa 2:21, Luk 1:68, Luk 19:44, 1Pe 2:12

in giving: Gen 28:20, Gen 48:15, Exo 16:4-6, Psa 104:14, Psa 104:15, Psa 111:5, Psa 132:15, Psa 145:15, Psa 146:7, Psa 147:14, Pro 30:8, Isa 55:10, Mat 6:11, 1Ti 6:8

Reciprocal: Psa 65:9 - visitest Zec 10:3 - visited

she went: 2Ki 8:3

they went: Rth 1:10, Rth 1:14, Exo 18:27

Go: Jos 24:15-28, Luk 14:25-33

the Lord: Php 4:18, Php 4:19, 2Ti 1:16-18

the dead: Rth 1:5, Rth 2:20, Eph 5:22, Eph 6:2, Eph 6:3, Col 3:18, Col 3:24

Reciprocal: Rth 3:10 - at the beginning 1Sa 20:8 - deal kindly 2Sa 2:5 - Blessed

rest: Rth 3:1

she kissed: Gen 27:27, Gen 29:11, Gen 45:15, Act 20:37

Reciprocal: Gen 21:16 - lift Gen 31:28 - kiss Gen 45:2 - wept aloud

Surely: Psa 16:3, Psa 119:63, Zec 8:23

Reciprocal: Rth 1:7 - they went

are there: This alludes to the custom that when a married brother died, without leaving posterity, his brother should take his widow; and the children of such marriages were accounted those of the deceased brother. This address of Naomi to her daughter-in-law is exceedingly tender, persuasive, and affecting.

that they: Gen 38:11, Deu 25:5

Reciprocal: Gen 38:8 - General Gen 38:9 - General Rth 2:11 - all that 2Sa 15:19 - Ittai Mat 22:24 - Moses Mar 12:19 - that Luk 20:28 - General Joh 6:67 - Will Rom 4:18 - against Gal 4:27 - desolate

too old: Gen 17:17, 1Ti 5:9

I should have: or, I were with

Reciprocal: Deu 25:5 - husband’s brother Luk 20:28 - General

tarry: Heb. hope

it grieveth me much: Heb. I have much bitterness

the hand: Deu 2:15, Jdg 2:15, 1Sa 5:11, Job 19:21, Psa 32:4, Psa 38:2, Psa 39:9, Psa 39:10

Reciprocal: Gen 38:11 - till Shelah Deu 25:5 - husband’s brother

Orpah: Gen 31:28, Gen 31:55, 1Ki 19:20, Mat 10:37, Mat 19:22, Mar 10:21, Mar 10:22, 2Ti 4:10

but Ruth: The LXX add, και επεστρεψεν εις τον λαον αυτης, "and returned to her own people." The Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic are to the same purpose. It seems a very natural addition, and agrees with the assertion in the next verse; and is accordingly adopted by Houbigant as a part of the text. Deu 4:4, Deu 10:20, Pro 17:17, Pro 18:24, Isa 14:1, Zec 8:23, Mat 16:24, Joh 6:66-69, Act 17:34, Heb 10:39

Reciprocal: Gen 34:3 - soul Gen 45:15 - Moreover Rth 1:7 - they went Rth 2:11 - all that 2Sa 19:39 - kissed Barzillai

gone back: Psa 36:3, Psa 125:5, Zep 1:6, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21, Heb 10:38, 1Jn 2:19

and unto: They were probably both idolaters at this time. That they were proselytes is an unfounded conjecture; and the conversion of Ruth now only commenced.

her gods: Jdg 11:24

return: Jos 24:15, Jos 24:19, 2Sa 15:19, 2Sa 15:20, 2Ki 2:2, Luk 14:26-33, Luk 24:28

Reciprocal: Gen 35:2 - strange Num 10:30 - General 2Ki 3:13 - get

Ruth: A more perfect surrender of friendly feelings to a friend was never made. This was a most extraordinary and disinterested attachment.

Entreat me not: or, Be not against me

to leave: 2Ki 2:2-6, Luk 24:28, Luk 24:29, Act 21:13

whither: 2Sa 15:21, Mat 8:19, Joh 13:37, Rev 14:4

thy people: Rth 2:11, Rth 2:12, Psa 45:10, Isa 14:1

thy God: Jos 24:18, Dan 2:47, Dan 3:29, Dan 4:37, Hos 13:4, 2Co 6:16-18, 1Th 1:9

Reciprocal: Jos 24:15 - choose Rth 2:6 - It is the Rth 4:15 - for thy 1Ki 8:41 - a stranger 2Ki 4:30 - I will not 1Ch 12:18 - came upon Amasai 2Ch 6:32 - the stranger Pro 17:17 - General Son 6:1 - that Zec 8:23 - We will Mat 1:5 - Booz Joh 1:38 - where 2Co 7:3 - to die

the lord: 1Sa 3:17, 1Sa 25:22, 2Sa 3:9, 2Sa 3:35, 2Sa 19:13, 1Ki 2:23, 1Ki 19:2, 1Ki 20:10, 2Ki 6:31

but death: Act 11:23, Act 20:24

Reciprocal: 1Sa 14:44 - God 1Sa 20:13 - The Lord do 2Sa 15:21 - surely Son 6:1 - that Dan 1:8 - purposed Zec 8:23 - We will Mat 1:5 - Booz 2Co 7:3 - to die

When: Act 21:14

was stedfastly minded: Heb. strengthened herself, Act 2:42, Eph 6:10

Reciprocal: Dan 1:8 - purposed 1Co 15:58 - be ye Col 2:5 - and the

all the city: From this it would appear that Naomi was not only well known, but also highly respected at Beth-lehem: aproof that Elimelech was of high consideration at that place. Mat 21:10

Is this Naomi: Isa 23:7, Lam 2:15

Reciprocal: Jos 19:15 - Bethlehem Rth 2:6 - It is the 1Ch 2:51 - Bethlehem Job 2:12 - knew him Son 1:6 - Look Lam 4:8 - they Mat 2:5 - General Luk 2:4 - unto Joh 9:8 - Is not

Naomi: that is, Pleasant

Mara: that is, Bitter

the Almighty: Gen 17:1, Gen 43:14, Job 5:17, Job 11:7, Rev 1:8, Rev 21:22

dealt: Job 6:4, Job 19:6, Psa 73:14, Psa 88:15, Isa 38:13, Lam 3:1-20, Heb 12:11

Reciprocal: Exo 1:14 - their lives Exo 15:23 - Marah Rth 1:2 - Naomi 1Sa 1:10 - in bitterness of soul Job 13:26 - writest Job 23:16 - Almighty Job 27:2 - vexed my soul Psa 107:39 - they are Isa 22:4 - Look Isa 47:9 - these two Lam 3:15 - filled Lam 4:8 - they Mic 1:12 - Maroth Rev 8:11 - Wormwood

and the: 1Sa 2:7, 1Sa 2:8, Job 1:21

the Lord: Job 10:17, Job 13:26, Job 16:8, Mal 3:5

Reciprocal: Job 27:2 - vexed my soul Psa 42:4 - When Psa 107:39 - they are Isa 22:4 - Look

in the beginning: At the beginning of Spring; for the barley harvest began immediately after the passover, and that festival was held on the 15th of Nisan, corresponding nearly with our March Rth 2:23, Exo 9:31, Exo 9:32, 2Sa 21:9

Reciprocal: Rth 2:6 - It is the Mat 1:5 - Booz