ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ruth 1

Ruth 1:1–5 Introduction: Naomi’s Family Dies. This brief introduction tells how Naomi lost her entire family.

Ruth 1:1 days when the judges ruled. (See Judg. 2:6–3:6.) A famine was sometimes a divine punishment (Deut. 11:14; 32:24; compare Lev. 26:3–4), but it could also advance God’s purposes, as it did for Israel in Joseph’s time (Gen. 45:5–8; Ps. 105:16–45). Bethlehem (which means “house of bread”) was in a fertile region. to sojourn. To be a resident alien (Deut. 24:17). Moab. A country across the Dead Sea from Judah, and one of Israel’s enemies.

Ruth 1:2 This verse lists the clan (Ephrathites), city (Bethlehem), and tribal territory (Judah) of the family (see note on 4:11; see 1 Sam. 17:12).

Ruth 1:4 Moabite wives. While Israelites were strictly forbidden to marry Canaanites (Deut. 7:1–4), there was no specific prohibition against their marrying Moabites. However, all intermarriage was discouraged because of the commitment of other nations to other gods (such as Molech).

Ruth 1:5 Elimelech had no living brothers. A childless widow such as Naomi would have faced an uncertain future, including the lack of financial support.

Ruth 1:6–22 Scene 1: Naomi Returns to Bethlehem with Ruth. This first scene relates Ruth’s kindness in returning with Naomi to Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:6 the Lord had visited. God had sent rain to Bethlehem; now, in the springtime, there would be food.

Ruth 1:7 The repeated mentions of daughters-in-law (vv. 6, 7, 8) and “my daughters” (vv. 11, 12, 13) show Naomi’s love for them.

Ruth 1:8–9 return each of you to her mother’s house. Naomi hopes that both Ruth and Orpah will remarry and have children. find rest . . . in the house of her husband. She hopes they will find security and stability in raising a family (compare 3:1).

Ruth 1:11–13 sons in my womb . . . your husbands. Naomi’s question assumes that the widows could marry their dead husbands’ brothers (levirate marriage, Deut. 25:5–10). Even if it had been possible for Naomi to have another son, however, he would not be able to give Orpah or Ruth a child for many years. This is not a solution to their problem. the hand of the Lord . . . against me. Naomi wrongly thinks her hard circumstances come from God’s anger toward her.

Ruth 1:14 Ruth clung to Naomi, an expression of loyalty and devotion (compare Gen. 2:24, “hold fast”).

Ruth 1:15 Orpah’s returning to her people meant returning to her gods (see Judg. 10:6).

Ruth 1:16 Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Ruth understood that her decision would mean accepting Naomi’s God, since gods and territory went together (compare 2:12).

Ruth 1:17 May the Lord do so to me. Ruth swears this oath in the name of Yahweh (compare 1 Sam. 3:17; 1 Kings 2:23), thereby claiming him as her God.

Ruth 1:19 the whole town was stirred. This may mean the people of Bethlehem were excited about the arrival of Ruth. More likely, it means they were concerned to see Naomi returning from Moab without her husband and sons.

Ruth 1:20–21 the Lord has testified against me. Naomi thinks her suffering means that God is punishing her for some unknown sin.

Ruth 1:22 Ruth is often referred to as the Moabite. This helps to emphasize how God’s kindness extends through the Israelites to other nations (2:20) and also how God can choose to bless Israel through the kindness of people from other nations (3:10; 4:13–22). barley harvest. In April/May, a few weeks before the wheat harvest (see 2:23).