Ruth 1:1-5

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:1 Introduction: Naomi’s Family Dies. This brief introduction tells how Naomi lost her entire family. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:2

RUTH—NOTE ON 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 Samuel 17:12). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:4

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:4 MOABITE WIVES. While Israelites were strictly forbidden to marry Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7:1), 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)... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:5

RUTH—NOTE ON 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. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:6-22

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:6 Scene 1: Naomi Returns to Bethlehem with Ruth. This first scene relates Ruth’s kindness in returning with Naomi to Bethlehem. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:7

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:7 The repeated mentions of DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW (vv. Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:7, Ruth 1:8) and “my daughters” (vv. Ruth 1:11, Ruth 1:12, Ruth 1:13) show Naomi’s love for them. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:8,9

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:8 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 Ruth 3:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEleme... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:11-13

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:11 SONS IN MY WOMB... YOUR HUSBANDS. Naomi’s question assumes that the widows could marry their dead husbands’ brothers (levirate marriage, Deuteronomy 25:5). 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 f... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:14

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:14 RUTH CLUNG to Naomi, an expression of loyalty and devotion (compare Genesis 2:24, “hold fast”). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:15

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:15 Orpah’s returning to HER PEOPLE meant returning to HER GODS (see Judges 10:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:16

RUTH—NOTE ON 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 Ruth 2:12). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img;... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:17

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:17 MAY THE LORD DO SO TO ME. Ruth swears this oath in the name of Yahweh (compare 1 Samuel 3:17; 1 Kings 2:23), thereby claiming him as her God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:19

RUTH—NOTE ON 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. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:20,21

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:20 THE LORD HAS TESTIFIED AGAINST ME. Naomi thinks her suffering means that God is punishing her for some unknown sin. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:22

RUTH—NOTE ON RUTH 1:22 RUTH 1:1 is often referred to as THE MOABITE. This helps to emphasize how God’s kindness extends through the Israelites to other nations (Ruth 2:20) and also how God can choose to bless Israel through the kindness of people from other nations (Ruth 3:10; Ruth 4:13). BARLEY HAR... [ Continue Reading ]

Continues after advertising