What does Ruth 1:1-5 mean?
"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, 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." - Ruth 1:1-5
The book of Ruth is a powerful and moving story of love, faith, and redemption. The opening verses of the book set the stage for the narrative and introduce the main characters. In Ruth 1:1-5, we are told about the time of the judges in Israel, a period of spiritual and moral decline. This historical context is important for understanding the events that will unfold in the book.
The first verse begins with, "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." This verse sets the stage for the story by establishing the setting and the reason for the family's journey to Moab. The famine in the land of Bethlehemjudah forces the family to seek refuge in Moab, a foreign country.
The next verse introduces us to the family members, "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." Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons leave their homeland and settle in Moab. The fact that they are Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah is significant as it ties them to their ancestral land and heritage.
The following verses detail the events that transpire in Moab, "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." These verses reveal the tragedies that befall Naomi and her family. First, her husband Elimelech dies, leaving her a widow. Then, her two sons marry Moabite wives, Orpah and Ruth, and also die, leaving Naomi alone with her daughters-in-law.
The opening verses of Ruth set the stage for the rest of the story, which will unfold as a tale of loss, loyalty, and ultimately, redemption. The themes of loyalty, faithfulness, and God's providence are central to the narrative. Despite the tragic events that befall Naomi and her family, the story will ultimately reveal how God works in mysterious ways to bring about restoration and blessing.
The historical and cultural context of the book is also important. The time of the judges was a turbulent period in Israel's history, marked by spiritual and moral decline. The decision of Elimelech and his family to seek refuge in a foreign land reflects the desperate circumstances they faced. The fact that they chose to settle in Moab, a nation with a troubled history with Israel, adds another layer of complexity to the story.
The symbolism in these verses is also worth noting. The names of the characters carry significance. Elimelech means "my God is king," Naomi means "pleasant," Mahlon means "sick," and Chilion means "pining." The meanings of these names foreshadow the events that will unfold in the story. Additionally, the fact that Orpah and Ruth are Moabite women adds a layer of cultural and religious tension to the narrative.
In conclusion, the opening verses of Ruth 1 set the stage for a powerful and poignant story of love, faith, and redemption. The historical context, themes, and symbolism all contribute to the richness of the narrative. As the story unfolds, we will see how God's providence works through the lives of the characters, ultimately bringing about restoration and hope.
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Ruth 1:1-5 Artwork
Ruth 1:1-5 - "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband."
"In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man's name was Elimelek, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Now Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband." - Ruth 1:1-5
Matthew 1:5 - "And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;"
Ruth 1:5 - "And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband."
ruth, the loyal daughter
Ruth 1:14 - "And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
Ruth 1:4 - "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."
"And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;" - Matthew 1:5
Ruth 1:22 - "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 Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest."
"And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband." - Ruth 1:5
Ruth 1:3 - "And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons."
Ruth 1:10 - "And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people."
Ruth 3:1 - "Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?"
Ruth 1:16 - "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:"
Ruth 1:18 - "When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her."
Ruth 2:1 - "And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz."
"And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her." - Ruth 1:14
Ruth 4:5 - "Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance."
"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." - Ruth 1:4
Ruth 1:1 - "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 Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons."
Ruth 1:20 - "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."
Ruth 2:5 - "Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?"
Ruth 3:5 - "And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do."
Ruth 1:17 - "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."
Ruth 1:11 - "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?"
Ruth 1:7 - "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."
Ruth 1:9 - "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."
Ruth 1:15 - "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 Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons." - Ruth 1:3
Ruth 1:19 - "¶ 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?"