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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 1:4 who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/08_Rut_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 1:4 - Naomi Becomes a Widow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/1-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/1-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/1-3.htm" title="Ruth 1:3">◄</a> Ruth 1:4 <a href="/ruth/1-5.htm" title="Ruth 1:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ruth/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one <i>was</i> Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one <i>was</i> Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they took for themselves Moabite women <i>as</i> wives; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other, Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They took for themselves Moabite women as wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they took for themselves Moabite women <i>as</i> wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They took for themselves Moabite women <i>as</i> wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. And they lived there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They took wives from the Moabite women; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about 10 years, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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 dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ruth/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Later, Naomi's sons married Moabite women. One was named Orpah and the other Ruth. About ten years later, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Each son married a woman from Moab. One son married a woman named Orpah, and the other son married a woman named Ruth. They lived there for about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ruth/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />who married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. About ten years later <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Each of her sons married Moabite women: one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. After they lived there about ten years, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So her sons married Moabite women. (One was named Orpah and the other Ruth.) And they continued to live there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they took for themselves wives from the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they took to themselves wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they take to them wives, Moabitesses: the name of the first [is] Orpah, and the name of the second Ruth; and they dwell there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they take to them wives, Moabitesses: the name of the one is Orpah, and the name of the second Ruth; and they dwell there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will take to them wives from the Moabitesses; the name of the one, Orpah, and the name of the second, Ruth: and they will dwell there about ten years.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they took wives of the women of Moab, of which one was called Orpha, and the other Ruth. And they dwelt there ten years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They took wives from among the Moabites, of whom one was called Orpah, and the other Ruth. And they lived there ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They married Moabite women, one named Orpah, the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they took them wives of the Moabite women; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they took to themselves wives, Moabites; the name of one, Arpha and the name of the other, Ruth, and they dwelt there about ten years<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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 dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they took to themselves wives, women of Moab; the name of the one <i>was</i> Orpha, and the name of the second Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ruth/1-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=32" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Naomi Becomes a Widow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">who took</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4125.htm" title="4125: mō·’ă·ḇî·yō·wṯ (N-proper-fp) -- Feminine Mownabiyah; or Mowabiyth; patronymical from Mow'ab; a Moabite or Moabitess, i.e. A descendant from Moab.">Moabite</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">women as their wives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: hā·’a·ḥaṯ (Art:: Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">named</a> <a href="/hebrew/6204.htm" title="6204: ‘ā·rə·pāh (N-proper-fs) -- Sister-in-law of Ruth. Feminine of oreph; mane; Orpah, a Moabites.">Orpah</a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: haš·šê·nîṯ (Art:: Number-ofs) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again.">and the other</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">named</a> <a href="/hebrew/7327.htm" title="7327: rūṯ (N-proper-fs) -- Friendship, a Moabite ancestress of David. Probably for r'uwth; friend; Ruth, a Moabitess.">Ruth.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šə·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">And after they had lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">in Moab</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: kə·‘e·śer (Prep-k:: Number-fsc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">about ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years,</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a></span><br />Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-2</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">Nehemiah 13:23-27</a></span><br />In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-1.htm">Ezra 9:1-2</a></span><br />After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. / Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Genesis 24:3-4</a></span><br />and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a></span><br />When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Genesis 28:1-2</a></span><br />So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. / “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/3-5.htm">Judges 3:5-6</a></span><br />Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a></span><br />Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a></span><br />Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31</a></span><br />And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Joshua 23:12-13</a></span><br />For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Malachi 2:11</a></span><br />Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a></span><br />Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">wives</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3</a></b></br> Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3</a></b></br> An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1,2</a></b></br> But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, <i>and</i> Hittites; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/21-2.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/20-1.htm">Dwelled</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Married</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Moabite</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Moabitish</a> <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah</a> <a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Ruth</a> <a href="/judges/20-25.htm">Second</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/judges/21-16.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-23.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-8.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">Dwelled</a> <a href="/ruth/2-23.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-43.htm">Married</a> <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Moabite</a> <a href="/ruth/2-6.htm">Moabitish</a> <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Ruth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">Second</a> <a href="/ruth/4-2.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Naomi, returning homeward</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ruth/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>who took Moabite women as their wives</b><br>The taking of Moabite women as wives by Mahlon and Chilion, the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, is significant in the context of Israelite law and tradition. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (<a href="/genesis/19-37.htm">Genesis 19:37</a>) and were often in conflict with Israel. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3</a> states that no Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord, even to the tenth generation, due to their historical enmity with Israel. This marriage choice reflects the dire circumstances faced by Naomi's family during the famine, leading them to settle in Moab. It also sets the stage for Ruth's eventual integration into the Israelite community, highlighting themes of redemption and God's inclusive plan.<p><b>one named Orpah and the other named Ruth</b><br>Orpah and Ruth, the Moabite women, are central figures in the narrative. Orpah's name is believed to mean "back of the neck," which foreshadows her eventual decision to return to Moab. Ruth, whose name means "friend" or "companion," becomes a key figure in biblical history. Her loyalty and faithfulness to Naomi and the God of Israel are pivotal, leading to her role in the lineage of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (<a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a>). Ruth's story exemplifies the theme of God's providence and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.<p><b>And after they had lived in Moab about ten years</b><br>The ten-year period in Moab indicates a significant duration of time away from Bethlehem, suggesting a settled life despite being in a foreign land. This timeframe allows for the development of relationships and the deepening of Ruth's commitment to Naomi. The number ten in biblical terms often signifies completeness or a full measure, which may imply that the time in Moab was sufficient for God's purposes to unfold. This period also underscores the severity of the famine in Judah, which forced the family to remain in Moab for so long. The eventual return to Bethlehem marks a turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for Ruth's integration into the Israelite community and God's unfolding plan of redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruth.htm">Ruth</a></b><br>A Moabite woman who becomes the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Her account is central to the Book of Ruth, highlighting themes of loyalty, faith, and redemption.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/o/orpah.htm">Orpah</a></b><br>Another Moabite woman and sister-in-law to Ruth. She initially sets out with Naomi but eventually returns to her people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a></b><br>An Israelite woman who moves to Moab with her family due to famine. She becomes the mother-in-law to Ruth and Orpah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a></b><br>A region east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. It is significant as the setting where Ruth and Orpah originate.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/elimelech.htm">Elimelech</a></b><br>Naomi's husband, whose death sets the stage for the events in Ruth's life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_commitment.htm">Loyalty and Commitment</a></b><br>Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi demonstrates profound loyalty and commitment, serving as a model for our relationships with family and God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_unlikely_circumstances.htm">God's Sovereignty in Unlikely Circumstances</a></b><br>Despite Ruth's Moabite background, God uses her in His redemptive plan, reminding us that God can work through any situation or person.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_integration.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Integration</a></b><br>Ruth's integration into the Israelite community illustrates the possibility of cultural and spiritual transformation through faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>The account encourages believers to remain faithful during difficult times, trusting in God's provision and plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Women in God's Plan</a></b><br>Ruth's account highlights the significant role women play in God's redemptive history, challenging cultural norms of the time.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ruth_1_4_conflict_with_deut._23_3.htm">Does the marriage of Naomi’s sons to Moabite women (Ruth 1:4) conflict with restrictions found in Deuteronomy 23:3? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_book_of_ruth_about.htm">What is the story and significance of the Book of Ruth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_events_in_ruth's_story.htm">What are the key events in Ruth's story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._7_3-4_align_with_inclusivity.htm">How does the command in Deuteronomy 7:3–4 to avoid intermarriage align with the inclusive messages found elsewhere in the Bible? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ruth/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">They took them wives.</span>--This seems to have been after the father's death. The fault of settling on a heathen soil begun by the father is carried on by the sons in marrying heathen women, for such we cannot doubt they must have been in the first instance. The Targum (or ancient Chaldee paraphrase) says: "They transgressed against the decree of the Word of the Lord, and took to themselves strange wives." This act was to incur a further risk of being involved in idolatry, as King Solomon found.<p><span class= "bld">Ruth.</span>--This name will mean either "comeliness" or "companion." according to the spelling of which we suppose the present name to be a contraction. The Syriac spelling supports the latter view. Ruth was the wife of Mahlon (<a href="/ruth/4-10.htm" title="Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place: you are witnesses this day.">Ruth 4:10</a>), apparently the elder sou. The Targum calls Ruth the daughter of Eglon, king of Moab, obviously from the wish to exalt the dignity of Ruth.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they took to themselves wives of the women of Moab.</span> It was their own act. Josephus, reproducing the narrative from memory, represents the event as occurring in the father's lifetime, and as brought about by his arrangement. He says of Elimelech, "Coming into the territory of Moab, he sojourns there, and, things pros-paring according to his mind, he gives in marriage to his sons (<span class="greek">ἄγεται τοῖς υἱοῖς</span>) Moabitish wives." Theological critics have here again raised the question, Was it sinful in these emigrant Hebrews to take in marriage daughters of the land? The Chaldee Targumist did not hesitate in his decision. He begins his paraphrase of the verse, thus - "And they transgressed the edict of the word of the Lord, and took to themselves alien wives of the daughters of Mesh." Dr. Thomas Fuller represents Naomi as passionately remonstrating with her sons. He says of himself, "<span class="accented">My</span> mouth denieth to be the orator of an unjust action." "Nothing can be brought," he adds, "for the defense of these matches. Something may be said for the excuse of them, but that fetched not from piety, but from policy." It is note worthy, however, that in the text itself, and throughout the entire Book, there is nothing of the nature of condemnation, not the least hint of blame. There was a law, indeed, which laid an interdict upon marriages with Canaanites (see <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3</a>). But these Canaanites occupied a peculiar relation to the Hebrews. They were within the line of that Canaan which had become the land of Israel. Israelites and Canaanites were thus living within the same borders as rival claimants of the same territory. It was no wonder that the Canaanites' claim was not to be recognized by the Hebrews. The Moabites, however, living within the lines or "coasts" of their own distinct territory, stood in quite a different relation. And while, for purity's sake, great restrictions were to be laid upon all overtures for naturalization (<a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3-6</a>), yet the law could never he intended to apply to the families of Hebrews who were settlers in Moab, or to Moabitish females living in their own land, and rather awarding than seeking the prerogatives' of natives. <span class="cmt_word">The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.</span> No doubt native Moabitish names. Much ingenuity has been expended on that of the more interesting person. Some have unwarrantably assumed that <span class="accented">Ruth</span> is a contraction of the Hebrew word <span class="hebrew">רְעוּת</span> meaning a <span class="accented">female companion</span> or <span class="accented">friend</span>. Still more unwarrantable, though more captivating to the aesthetic imagination, is the signification which is given to the word by Weruer and Eadie, namely, <span class="accented">beauty</span>. It is founded on an impossible derivation from the Hebrew <span class="hebrew">רָאָה</span>. Still more aesthetically captivating is the conjecture of Cassel, that the name is the ancient Semitic form of the Indo-European word <span class="accented">rodon</span> or <span class="accented">rose</span>. "At all events," says he, "the thought of Ruth <span class="accented">as the Rose of Moab</span> is in itself too attractive not to be proposed as a conjecture." It is certainly, most attractive and most admirable as a <span class="accented">jeu d'esprit</span>, but too imaginative to be vindicated on grounds of comparative philology. <span class="cmt_word">And they dwelt there.</span> Or, "settled themselves there; literally, "sat them." We still call a gentleman's mansion his seat. <span class="cmt_word">About ten years</span>, which, however, are treated by the writer as a mere blank in his story. He hastens on. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">who took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Moabite</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹֽאֲבִיּ֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mō·’ă·ḇî·yō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4125.htm">Strong's 4125: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moabite -- descendant of Moab</span><br /><br /><span class="word">women as their wives,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשִׁים֙</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽאַחַת֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’a·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">named</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Orpah</span><br /><span class="heb">עָרְפָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rə·pāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6204.htm">Strong's 6204: </a> </span><span class="str2">Orpah -- sister-in-law of Ruth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the other</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šê·nîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8145.htm">Strong's 8145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">named</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֵׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ruth.</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֑וּת</span> <span class="translit">(rūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7327.htm">Strong's 7327: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruth -- 'friendship', a Moabite ancestress of David</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And after they had lived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Moab</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about ten</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּעֶ֥שֶׂר</span> <span class="translit">(kə·‘e·śer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ruth/1-4.htm">Ruth 1:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:4 They took them wives of the women (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>