Ruth 1 Commentary: From Bitterness to New Beginnings
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 Beth–lehem–judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
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 Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
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.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
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?
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;
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.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
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.
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:
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.
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Beth–lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth–lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
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?
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 Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 1 serves as the poignant introduction to the Book of Ruth, a story of love, loyalty, and redemption set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in Israel's history – the time of the judges (Judges 2:16–19). This chapter lays the foundation for understanding the challenges faced by Naomi and Ruth and foreshadows the hope that emerges from their difficult circumstances. This chapter is SEO optimized for the keyword: Ruth 1.
The Time of the Judges and a Famine in the Land (Ruth 1:1-2)
The opening verses of Ruth 1 place us squarely within the era of the judges, a time marked by a recurring cycle of Israel's unfaithfulness, divine judgment, repentance, and deliverance. As Judges 21:25 poignantly states, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him." This spiritual and moral instability often manifested in tangible ways, such as the famine that struck the land of Judah.
Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, faced with this severe famine, made the difficult decision to relocate his family – his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion – to the land of Moab (Ruth 1:1-2). Moab, a nation born from an incestuous origin (Genesis 19:30–38), was historically hostile towards Israel. They even hired Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22—24). This decision, born out of desperation, would have far-reaching consequences for the family.
Loss and Heartbreak in Moab (Ruth 1:3-5)
Life in Moab proved to be tragic for Naomi and her family. Elimelech, the provider and protector, died, leaving Naomi a widow (Ruth 1:3). Her sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth (Ruth 1:4). However, after about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, leaving Naomi without her husband and sons (Ruth 1:5). She had gone from bad to worse, escaping the famine only to face even greater loss and despair. Her circumstances spiraled down to a point at which she had no way to provide for herself in Moab.
Naomi's Decision to Return (Ruth 1:6-13)
Hearing that the Lord had blessed Israel and ended the famine in Judah, Naomi resolved to return to her homeland (Ruth 1:6-7). She felt a deep longing to be among her own people, even in her broken state. Knowing the uncertain future that awaited her, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families in Moab, hoping they would find new husbands and new lives (Ruth 1:8-9). She even prayed that God might grant each a new husband (Ruth 1:9). She wanted God to deal kindly with them, a fact that may suggest she felt they had placed themselves under God’s covenant covering by marrying Israelite men.
Naomi's words reflect a sense of hopelessness and selflessness. She felt she had nothing to offer them in Israel and that staying with her would only lead to further hardship (Ruth 1:11-12). "The LORD’s hand has turned against me," she lamented (Ruth 1:13), expressing her deep sense of bitterness and divine affliction. Yet, it was through her very difficult situation that God was about to work in a big way.
Ruth's Unwavering Loyalty (Ruth 1:14-18)
While Orpah eventually heeded Naomi's advice and returned to her family, Ruth made a different choice. Her commitment to Naomi transcended cultural and familial boundaries. Ruth's words, "Wherever you go, I will go... your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16), are among the most beautiful and profound expressions of loyalty and devotion in the entire Bible. She even swore an oath to remain with her mother-in-law for life (Ruth 1:17). Her commitment was so deep that she preferred widowhood and its challenges to abandoning Naomi and her God—a fact suggesting that she’d probably come to place faith in him at least in part through the woman’s witness.
Ruth's decision to embrace Naomi's people and her God signifies a complete break with her past and a profound act of faith. Seeing Ruth's unwavering determination, Naomi ceased her attempts to dissuade her, and the two women set out together for Bethlehem (Ruth 1:18-19).
A Bitter Return (Ruth 1:19-21)
The arrival of Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem caused quite a stir among the townspeople. But Naomi, overwhelmed by grief and loss, could not share in their joy. She requested to be called "Mara," meaning "bitter," instead of "Naomi," meaning "pleasant" (Ruth 1:20). "The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me," she declared (Ruth 1:21).
Naomi reentered Israel as a broken and bitter woman (Ruth 1:20; see 1:13). She told the people of her hometown, the LORD has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me (1:21). In other words, in returning to her homeland empty-handed, Naomi felt she had nothing to show for her commitment to her husband or to her God. Nevertheless, she recognized that both good and bad circumstances come through the fingers of the Lord. In his sovereignty, he either causes events or permits them to come to pass. And, while Naomi was truly in despair, it was time for the barley harvest (1:22). She could see that God had ended the famine, the very thing that had driven her family off and to their graves. There was hope in the midst of her hopelessness.
Hope in the Harvest (Ruth 1:22)
The chapter concludes with a seemingly simple statement: "So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning" (Ruth 1:22). This detail, however, is laden with significance. The barley harvest represents a new beginning, a sign of God's provision and a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
Ruth will use this to her advantage as she goes to a field and requests permission to scavenge after the harvesters are done with their work (Ruth 2:1–2). It so happens the landowner, Boaz, is one of Elimelech's kinsman-redeemers who is obliged to buy Elimelech's land which will give Naomi a living. Yet Naomi has grander plans; if Boaz can give them money to live on, why can't he give her an heir—and provide security for Ruth, as well (Ruth 3:1)?
Ruth 1, therefore, sets the stage for a remarkable story of redemption, demonstrating how God can work through even the most difficult circumstances to bring about blessing and restoration. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope remains, and that unwavering loyalty and faith can pave the way for a brighter future.
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 Beth–lehem–judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
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 Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
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.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
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?
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;
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.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
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.
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:
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.
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Beth–lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth–lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
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?
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 Beth–lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 1 serves as the poignant introduction to the Book of Ruth, a story of love, loyalty, and redemption set against the backdrop of a turbulent period in Israel's history – the time of the judges (Judges 2:16–19). This chapter lays the foundation for understanding the challenges faced by Naomi and Ruth and foreshadows the hope that emerges from their difficult circumstances. This chapter is SEO optimized for the keyword: Ruth 1.
The Time of the Judges and a Famine in the Land (Ruth 1:1-2)
The opening verses of Ruth 1 place us squarely within the era of the judges, a time marked by a recurring cycle of Israel's unfaithfulness, divine judgment, repentance, and deliverance. As Judges 21:25 poignantly states, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him." This spiritual and moral instability often manifested in tangible ways, such as the famine that struck the land of Judah.
Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem in Judah, faced with this severe famine, made the difficult decision to relocate his family – his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion – to the land of Moab (Ruth 1:1-2). Moab, a nation born from an incestuous origin (Genesis 19:30–38), was historically hostile towards Israel. They even hired Balaam to curse the Israelites (Numbers 22—24). This decision, born out of desperation, would have far-reaching consequences for the family.
Loss and Heartbreak in Moab (Ruth 1:3-5)
Life in Moab proved to be tragic for Naomi and her family. Elimelech, the provider and protector, died, leaving Naomi a widow (Ruth 1:3). Her sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth (Ruth 1:4). However, after about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, leaving Naomi without her husband and sons (Ruth 1:5). She had gone from bad to worse, escaping the famine only to face even greater loss and despair. Her circumstances spiraled down to a point at which she had no way to provide for herself in Moab.
Naomi's Decision to Return (Ruth 1:6-13)
Hearing that the Lord had blessed Israel and ended the famine in Judah, Naomi resolved to return to her homeland (Ruth 1:6-7). She felt a deep longing to be among her own people, even in her broken state. Knowing the uncertain future that awaited her, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their families in Moab, hoping they would find new husbands and new lives (Ruth 1:8-9). She even prayed that God might grant each a new husband (Ruth 1:9). She wanted God to deal kindly with them, a fact that may suggest she felt they had placed themselves under God’s covenant covering by marrying Israelite men.
Naomi's words reflect a sense of hopelessness and selflessness. She felt she had nothing to offer them in Israel and that staying with her would only lead to further hardship (Ruth 1:11-12). "The LORD’s hand has turned against me," she lamented (Ruth 1:13), expressing her deep sense of bitterness and divine affliction. Yet, it was through her very difficult situation that God was about to work in a big way.
Ruth's Unwavering Loyalty (Ruth 1:14-18)
While Orpah eventually heeded Naomi's advice and returned to her family, Ruth made a different choice. Her commitment to Naomi transcended cultural and familial boundaries. Ruth's words, "Wherever you go, I will go... your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16), are among the most beautiful and profound expressions of loyalty and devotion in the entire Bible. She even swore an oath to remain with her mother-in-law for life (Ruth 1:17). Her commitment was so deep that she preferred widowhood and its challenges to abandoning Naomi and her God—a fact suggesting that she’d probably come to place faith in him at least in part through the woman’s witness.
Ruth's decision to embrace Naomi's people and her God signifies a complete break with her past and a profound act of faith. Seeing Ruth's unwavering determination, Naomi ceased her attempts to dissuade her, and the two women set out together for Bethlehem (Ruth 1:18-19).
A Bitter Return (Ruth 1:19-21)
The arrival of Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem caused quite a stir among the townspeople. But Naomi, overwhelmed by grief and loss, could not share in their joy. She requested to be called "Mara," meaning "bitter," instead of "Naomi," meaning "pleasant" (Ruth 1:20). "The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me," she declared (Ruth 1:21).
Naomi reentered Israel as a broken and bitter woman (Ruth 1:20; see 1:13). She told the people of her hometown, the LORD has opposed me, and the Almighty has afflicted me (1:21). In other words, in returning to her homeland empty-handed, Naomi felt she had nothing to show for her commitment to her husband or to her God. Nevertheless, she recognized that both good and bad circumstances come through the fingers of the Lord. In his sovereignty, he either causes events or permits them to come to pass. And, while Naomi was truly in despair, it was time for the barley harvest (1:22). She could see that God had ended the famine, the very thing that had driven her family off and to their graves. There was hope in the midst of her hopelessness.
Hope in the Harvest (Ruth 1:22)
The chapter concludes with a seemingly simple statement: "So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning" (Ruth 1:22). This detail, however, is laden with significance. The barley harvest represents a new beginning, a sign of God's provision and a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
Ruth will use this to her advantage as she goes to a field and requests permission to scavenge after the harvesters are done with their work (Ruth 2:1–2). It so happens the landowner, Boaz, is one of Elimelech's kinsman-redeemers who is obliged to buy Elimelech's land which will give Naomi a living. Yet Naomi has grander plans; if Boaz can give them money to live on, why can't he give her an heir—and provide security for Ruth, as well (Ruth 3:1)?
Ruth 1, therefore, sets the stage for a remarkable story of redemption, demonstrating how God can work through even the most difficult circumstances to bring about blessing and restoration. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope remains, and that unwavering loyalty and faith can pave the way for a brighter future.