Bible Commentaries
Ruth 1

Introduction

Overview

Ruth 1:1, Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there; Ruth 1:4, Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also; Ruth 1:6, Naomi, returning homeward, Ruth 1:8, dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her; Ruth 1:14, Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her; Ruth 1:19, They two come to Beth-lehem, where they are gladly received.

Verse 1

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

ruled: Heb. judged

a famine: Genesis 12:10, Genesis 26:1, Genesis 43:1, Leviticus 26:19, Deuteronomy 28:23, Deuteronomy 28:24, Deuteronomy 28:38, 2 Samuel 21:1, 1 Kings 17:1-12, 1 Kings 18:2, 2 Kings 8:1, 2 Kings 8:2, Psalms 105:16, Psalms 107:34, Jeremiah 14:1, Ezekiel 14:13, Ezekiel 14:21, Joel 1:10, Joel 1:11, Joel 1:16-20, Amos 4:6, Beth-lehem-judah, Judges 17:8, Judges 19:1, Judges 19:2

Reciprocal: Judges 17:7 - General 1 Samuel 22:3 - the king 2 Kings 4:13 - among mine 1 Chronicles 8:8 - in the 2 Chronicles 6:28 - if there be dearth Daniel 2:44 - in the days Matthew 2:5 - General Acts 13:20 - he gave

Verse 2

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

Naomi: Ruth 1:20

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

Ephrathites: Genesis 35:19, 1 Samuel 1:1, 1 Samuel 17:21, Micah 5:2

continued: Heb. were

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:16 - Ephrath Genesis 48:7 - Rachel Judges 17:7 - General Ruth 4:11 - Ephratah 1 Kings 11:26 - an Ephrathite Psalms 132:6 - at Ephratah

Verse 3

and she was: 2 Kings 4:1, Psalms 34:19, Hebrews 12:6, Hebrews 12:10, Hebrews 12:11

Verse 4

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

wives: Deuteronomy 7:3, Deuteronomy 23:3, 1 Kings 11:1, 1 Kings 11:2

Ruth: Matthew 1:5

Verse 5

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

Mahlon: Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalms 89:30-32, Jeremiah 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: Isaiah 49:21, Matthew 22:25-27, Luke 7:12

Reciprocal: Ruth 1:8 - the dead Isaiah 47:9 - these two

Verse 6

visited: Genesis 21:1, Genesis 50:25, Exodus 3:16, Exodus 4:31, 1 Samuel 2:21, Luke 1:68, Luke 19:44, 1 Peter 2:12

in giving: Genesis 28:20, Genesis 48:15, Exodus 16:4-6, Psalms 104:14, Psalms 104:15, Psalms 111:5, Psalms 132:15, Psalms 145:15, Psalms 146:7, Psalms 147:14, Proverbs 30:8, Isaiah 55:10, Matthew 6:11, 1 Timothy 6:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 65:9 - visitest Zechariah 10:3 - visited

Verse 7

she went: 2 Kings 8:3

they went: Ruth 1:10, Ruth 1:14, Exodus 18:27

Verse 8

Go: Joshua 24:15-28, Luke 14:25-33

the Lord: Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 1:16-18

the dead: Ruth 1:5, Ruth 2:20, Ephesians 5:22, Ephesians 6:2, Ephesians 6:3, Colossians 3:18, Colossians 3:24

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

Verse 9

rest: Ruth 3:1

she kissed: Genesis 27:27, Genesis 29:11, Genesis 45:15, Acts 20:37

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

Verse 10

Surely: Psalms 16:3, Psalms 119:63, Zechariah 8:23

Reciprocal: Ruth 1:7 - they went

Verse 11

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: Genesis 38:11, Deuteronomy 25:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:8 - General Genesis 38:9 - General Ruth 2:11 - all that 2 Samuel 15:19 - Ittai Matthew 22:24 - Moses Mark 12:19 - that Luke 20:28 - General John 6:67 - Will Romans 4:18 - against Galatians 4:27 - desolate

Verse 12

too old: Genesis 17:17, 1 Timothy 5:9

I should have: or, I were with

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:5 - husband's brother Luke 20:28 - General

Verse 13

tarry: Heb. hope

it grieveth me much: Heb. I have much bitterness

the hand: Deuteronomy 2:15, Judges 2:15, 1 Samuel 5:11, Job 19:21, Psalms 32:4, Psalms 38:2, Psalms 39:9, Psalms 39:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:11 - till Shelah Deuteronomy 25:5 - husband's brother

Verse 14

Orpah: Genesis 31:28, Genesis 31:55, 1 Kings 19:20, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 19:22, Mark 10:21, Mark 10:22, 2 Timothy 4:10

but Ruth: The LXX add, ךבי ונוףפסורום ויע פןם כבןם בץפחע, "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. Deuteronomy 4:4, Deuteronomy 10:20, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, Isaiah 14:1, Zechariah 8:23, Matthew 16:24, John 6:66-69, Acts 17:34, Hebrews 10:39

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:3 - soul Genesis 45:15 - Moreover Ruth 1:7 - they went Ruth 2:11 - all that 2 Samuel 19:39 - kissed Barzillai

Verse 15

gone back: Psalms 36:3, Psalms 125:5, Zephaniah 1:6, Matthew 13:20, Matthew 13:21, Hebrews 10:38, 1 John 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: Judges 11:24

return: Joshua 24:15, Joshua 24:19, 2 Samuel 15:19, 2 Samuel 15:20, 2 Kings 2:2, Luke 14:26-33, Luke 24:28

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:2 - strange Numbers 10:30 - General 2 Kings 3:13 - get

Verse 16

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: 2 Kings 2:2-6, Luke 24:28, Luke 24:29, Acts 21:13

whither: 2 Samuel 15:21, Matthew 8:19, John 13:37, Revelation 14:4

thy people: Ruth 2:11, Ruth 2:12, Psalms 45:10, Isaiah 14:1

thy God: Joshua 24:18, Daniel 2:47, Daniel 3:29, Daniel 4:37, Hosea 13:4, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:15 - choose Ruth 2:6 - It is the Ruth 4:15 - for thy 1 Kings 8:41 - a stranger 2 Kings 4:30 - I will not 1 Chronicles 12:18 - came upon Amasai 2 Chronicles 6:32 - the stranger Proverbs 17:17 - General Song of Solomon 6:1 - that Zechariah 8:23 - We will Matthew 1:5 - Booz John 1:38 - where 2 Corinthians 7:3 - to die

Verse 17

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

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

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:44 - God 1 Samuel 20:13 - The Lord do 2 Samuel 15:21 - surely Song of Solomon 6:1 - that Daniel 1:8 - purposed Zechariah 8:23 - We will Matthew 1:5 - Booz 2 Corinthians 7:3 - to die

Verse 18

When: Acts 21:14

was stedfastly minded: Heb. strengthened herself, Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:10

Reciprocal: Daniel 1:8 - purposed 1 Corinthians 15:58 - be ye Colossians 2:5 - and the

Verse 19

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. Matthew 21:10

Is this Naomi: Isaiah 23:7, Lamentations 2:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 19:15 - Bethlehem Ruth 2:6 - It is the 1 Chronicles 2:51 - Bethlehem Job 2:12 - knew him Song of Solomon 1:6 - Look Lamentations 4:8 - they Matthew 2:5 - General Luke 2:4 - unto John 9:8 - Is not

Verse 20

Naomi: that is, Pleasant

Mara: that is, Bitter

the Almighty: Genesis 17:1, Genesis 43:14, Job 5:17, Job 11:7, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:22

dealt: Job 6:4, Job 19:6, Psalms 73:14, Psalms 88:15, Isaiah 38:13, Lamentations 3:1-20, Hebrews 12:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:14 - their lives Exodus 15:23 - Marah Ruth 1:2 - Naomi 1 Samuel 1:10 - in bitterness of soul Job 13:26 - writest Job 23:16 - Almighty Job 27:2 - vexed my soul Psalms 107:39 - they are Isaiah 22:4 - Look Isaiah 47:9 - these two Lamentations 3:15 - filled Lamentations 4:8 - they Micah 1:12 - Maroth Revelation 8:11 - Wormwood

Verse 21

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

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

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

Verse 22

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 Ruth 2:23, Exodus 9:31, Exodus 9:32, 2 Samuel 21:9

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:6 - It is the Matthew 1:5 - Booz