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 Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
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
2.
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: 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
3.
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
and she was: 2 Kings 4:1, Psalms 34:19, Hebrews 12:6, Hebrews 12:10, Hebrews 12:11
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.
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
5.
And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
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
6.
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.
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
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.
she went: 2 Kings 8:3
they went: Ruth 1:10, Ruth 1:14, Exodus 18:27
8.
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.
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
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.
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
10.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
Surely: Psalms 16:3, Psalms 119:63, Zechariah 8:23
Reciprocal: Ruth 1:7 - they went
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?
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
12.
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;
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
13.
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.
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
14.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
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
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.
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
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: 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
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.
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
18.
When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
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
19.
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
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
20.
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
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
21.
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?
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
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 Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
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