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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. <a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. <a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. <a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. <a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a> 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 Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. <a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to reside in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the fields of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In the days when the judges governed [Israel], there was a famine in the land [of Canaan]. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live temporarily in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while. <a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to live in the land of Moab for a while. <a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, 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. <a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In the days when the judges were ruling, there was a famine in the land. A man from Bethlehem in Judah went with his wife and two sons to live for a while in the country of Moab. <a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now there came a time of famine while judges were ruling in the land of Israel. A man from Bethlehem of Judah, his wife, and his two sons left to live in the country of Moab. <a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. <a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a> During the time of the judges there was a famine in the land of Judah. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live as a resident foreigner in the region of Moab, along with his wife and two sons. <a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 dwell in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a> In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, in [the] days [when] the ones judging judge, that there is a famine in the land, and there goes a man from Beth-Lehem-Judah to sojourn in the fields of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, in the days of the judging of the judges, that there is a famine in the land, and there goeth a man from Beth-Lehem-Judah to sojourn in the fields of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be in the days of the judging of the judges, and there will be a famine in the land. And a man from the house of bread of Judah will go to sojourn in the field of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there came a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Juda, went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. <a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a man from Bethlehem in Judah departed to sojourn in the region of the Moabites with his wife and two children. <a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Once back in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land; so a man from Bethlehem of Judah left home with his wife and two sons to reside on the plateau of Moab. <a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Beth-lehem of Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. <a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it was in the days of the Judges, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bayth Lekhem of Yehuda went on to dwell in the land of Moab, he and his wife and his children, because the famine was severe in the land<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> AND IT came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem in Judah went to sojourn in the field of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land: and a man went from Bethleem Juda to sojourn in the land of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. <a href="/parallel/ruth/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Naomi Becomes a Widow</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">In the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: haš·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To judge, govern. ">when the judges</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šə·p̄ōṭ (V-Qal-Inf) -- To judge, govern. ">ruled,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">a famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land.</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">And a certain man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: mib·bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: le·ḥem (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">in Judah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: wə·’iš·tōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">with his wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·nê (Conj-w:: Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">and two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: lā·ḡūr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">to reside</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: biś·ḏê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">in the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4124.htm" title="4124: mō·w·’āḇ (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Lot, also his desc. and the territory where they settled. ">of Moab.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> 2The 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 in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a> In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. <a href="/genesis/41-54.htm">Genesis 41:54</a> the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1</a> During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” <a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">2 Kings 4:38</a> When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting at his feet, he said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and boil some stew for the sons of the prophets.” <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1</a> After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. <a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11</a> Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9</a> By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. <a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17</a> Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. <a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a> Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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<a href="/judges/2-16.htm">Judges 2:16</a> Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.<a href="/judges/12-8.htm">Judges 12:8</a> And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.ruled [heb] judged <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.<a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Genesis 26:1</a> And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.<a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Genesis 43:1</a> And the famine was sore in the land.Beth-lehem-Judah<a href="/judges/17-8.htm">Judges 17:8</a> And the man departed out of the city from Bethlehemjudah to sojourn where he could find a place: and he came to mount Ephraim to the house of Micah, as he journeyed.<a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Judges 19:1,2</a> And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/19-18.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/judges/19-18.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/judges/19-18.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Bethlehem-Judah</a> <a href="/judges/19-18.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/judges/20-6.htm">Country</a> <a href="/judges/20-47.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/judges/20-18.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/judges/16-31.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/judges/2-18.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/judges/4-4.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/judges/18-1.htm">Live</a> <a href="/judges/11-25.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/judges/11-19.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/judges/17-9.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/judges/21-24.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/20-14.htm">Together</a> <a href="/judges/21-23.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Bethlehem-Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Country</a> <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-3.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-16.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-22.htm">Live</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-1.htm">Ruled</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ruth/2-17.htm">Together</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 1</div>1. <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there</a> 4. <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also</a> 6. <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Naomi, returning homeward</a> 8. <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her</a> 14. <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her</a> 19. <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>In the days when the judges ruled This phrase sets the historical context for the Book of Ruth. The period of the judges was a time of social and religious upheaval in Israel, characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. This era is detailed in the Book of Judges, where Israel repeatedly turned away from God, leading to periods of foreign domination. The judges were leaders raised by God to deliver Israel from its oppressors. This time was marked by moral relativism and a lack of centralized leadership, as noted in <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."there was a famine in the land Famines were not uncommon in the ancient Near East and often signified divine displeasure or a test of faith. In the context of Israel, a famine could be seen as a consequence of the nation's disobedience to God, as outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-24</a>, where God warns of drought and famine as a result of turning away from His commandments. This famine sets the stage for the narrative, prompting the movement of the family from Bethlehem to Moab.And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah Bethlehem, meaning "house of bread," is ironically the setting of a famine. It is a small town in Judah, significant in biblical history as the birthplace of King David and later, Jesus Christ (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, <a href="/matthew/2.htm">Matthew 2:1</a>). The mention of Judah highlights the tribal affiliation, emphasizing the family's connection to the lineage of David, which is central to the messianic prophecy.with his wife and two sons The family unit is central to the narrative, highlighting themes of loyalty, kinship, and survival. The mention of the wife and sons sets up the personal and familial challenges that will unfold. The family structure also reflects the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, where lineage and inheritance were passed through male descendants.went to reside in the land of Moab Moab was located east of the Dead Sea and was often in conflict with Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot (<a href="/genesis/19-37.htm">Genesis 19:37</a>) and had a complicated relationship with the Israelites, sometimes hostile, as seen in <a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Judges 3:12-30</a>. The decision to move to Moab indicates the severity of the famine and the desperation of the family. Moab's inclusion in the narrative foreshadows the integration of Ruth, a Moabite, into the Israelite community, which is significant for the genealogy of David and ultimately, Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a> This period refers to the time in Israel's history when judges led the people, a time marked by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. 2. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A severe shortage of food that affected the land of Israel, prompting the movement of people in search of sustenance. 3. <a href="/topical/b/bethlehem.htm">Bethlehem</a> A town in Judah, known as the future birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ. The name means "house of bread," which is ironic given the famine. 4. <a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a> A neighboring nation east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. The Moabites were descendants of Lot. 5. <a href="/topical/e/elimelech.htm">Elimelech</a> The man from Bethlehem who moved his family to Moab. His name means "My God is King."<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> Despite difficult circumstances, believers are encouraged to trust in God's provision rather than seeking solutions outside His will. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_hard_times.htm">Faithfulness in Hard Times</a> The account sets the stage for Ruth's faithfulness, reminding us to remain steadfast in our commitments even when life is challenging. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The events in <a href="/ruth/1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a> remind us that God is sovereign over history, using even famines and migrations to fulfill His purposes. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a> The move to Moab highlights the importance of community and support systems during times of crisis. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_challenges.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Challenges</a> Living in Moab presented cultural and spiritual challenges, similar to the challenges Christians face in a secular world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1</a> <a href="/q/does_ruth_1_1_align_with_judges'_era.htm">How does the timeline in Ruth 1:1 align with or contradict other biblical accounts of the era of the judges?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_boaz's_marriage_fulfill_the_law.htm">How does Boaz's marriage to Ruth fulfill the law?</a> <a href="/q/is_ruth_1_1's_famine_historically_plausible.htm">How historically plausible is the famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1, given the agricultural conditions and trade routes of that time? </a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_ruth's_story.htm">What are the key events in Ruth's story?</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>(1) When the judges ruled.--Literally, when the judges judged. This note of time is by no means definite. As we have seen, some have proposed to connect the famine with the ravages of the Midianites <a href="/judges/6-1.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.">Judges 6:1</a>); or, supposing the genealogy to be complete (which is more likely, however, to be abridged, if at all, in the earlier generations), then since Boaz was the son of Salmon (Salma, <a href="/1_chronicles/2-11.htm" title="And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,">1Chronicles 2:11</a>) and Rahab (<a href="/matthew/1-5.htm" title="And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;">Matthew 1:5</a>), whom there can be no reasonable grounds for supposing to be other than the Rahab of Jericho, the events must be placed comparatively early in the period of the judges.Beth-lehem.--See note on <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm" title="And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.">Genesis 35:19</a>. Judah is added by way of distinction from the Bethlehem in the tribe of Zebulun (<a href="/joshua/19-15.htm" title="And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem: twelve cities with their villages.">Joshua 19:15</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Now it came to pass. Or, more literally, "And it came to pass." The "And" is somewhat remarkable, standing at the commencement of the Book. But as it is also found at the commencement of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Ezekiel, Esther, and Ezra, its use, though inartistic, must be amenable to some literary law. The Books specified, even including Ezekiel, are historical They are parcels of history, each narrating events that had their genesis in more or less significant antecedent occurrences. This historical genesis, so very different from an "absolute commencement" of things, is indicated, though probably in unreflective spontaneity, by the copulative "And." In the days when the judges ruled. Or, more literally, "when the judges judged." In primitive times there was no function that was more important for society than that of judiciously settling disputes between man and man. Every such settlement, besides conferring a benefit on society, and in particular on the individuals at variance, would increase the moral influence and social elevation of the judge. By and by his moral and social superiority would, in favorable circumstances, grow into authority, specifically judicial on the one hand, and generically political, or semi-political, on the other. When military prowess and skill in strategy were added, a ruler, champion, or leader would be the result. Many such leaders rose up among the Hebrews ere yet society was compactly organized. They were vanously endowed; but most of them were only very partially equipped for the judicious administration of the affairs of the commonwealth. All, however, were called judges; and the discharge of their high duties was denominated judging, even when it was entirely inconspicuous as regards judicial ability or judicious determinations. The Hebrew word for judge is שֹׁפֵט shofet; and it is an interesting evidence of the very close kinship of Hebrew and Phoenician, that in Carthage the chief magistrate, as we learn from Livy and other Roman writers, was called sufes (originally, as we see from the inflection, sufet). That there was a famine. An admirable though free rendering. In the original the structure of the whole statement is exceedingly primitive and "agglutinative" - And (it) was in the days of the judging of the judges, and (there) was a famine. In the land. Namely, of Israel. The non-specification of the particular country referred to is evidence that the writer was living in it, as one at home. Josephus says that it was under the judgeship of Eli, the high priest, that the famine spoken of occurred ('Antiquities,' 5:9, 1). But here the historian speaks "without book," and without any particular plausibility. Several expositors, such as Bishop Patrick, have antedated, by a very long way, the calculation of Josephus They would assign the famine to the period when the Midianites and Amalekites came up, "as grasshoppers for multitude, to destroy the land," so that Israel was greatly impoverished (see <a href="/judges/6.htm">Judges 6</a>.). But it is in vain to multiply guesses. The date of the famine is not given, and it is futile to make inquisition for it. And a certain man. The interpolation of the individualizing word "certain" is quite uncalled for, and now quite archaic. The simplicity of the original is sufficient, "And a man. Of Bethlehem-judah. Or, as it might be still more literally represented, "of Bethlehem, Judah." Them is no such single name as Bethlehem-judah. There is only the apposition, for discrimination's sake, of one geographical name to another, just as we may say, in English, Boston, Lincolnshire, or Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. The localization of the main name is thus effectually indicated. There is another Alexandria in Egypt; there is another Boston in the United States of America; and there was in Palestine another Bethlehem, namely, in the canton of Zebulun (see <a href="/joshua/19-15.htm">Joshua 19:15</a>). Bethlehem, Judah, lies about six miles to the south of Jerusalem. "Its appearance," says Dr. Porter, "is striking. It is situated on a narrow ridge, which projects eastward from the central mountain range, and breaks down in abrupt terraced slopes to deep valleys on the north, east, and south. The terraces, admirably kept, and covered with rows of olives, intermixed with the fig and the vine, sweep in graceful curves round the ridge, regular as stairs" ('Syria and Palestine,' D. 199). The valleys below are exceptionally fertile, and have been so from time immemorial. Hence indeed the name Beth-lehem, or Bread-house. Its modern name is Beit-lahm, or Flesh-house. Went to sojourn in the land of Moab. We have no word in English that exactly, corresponds to the verb גּוּר rendered sojourn. The cognate noun is uniformly translated, in King James's version, stranger, and means foreigner. The verb means to dwell as a foreigner, but its root-idea is yet undetermined. The Latin peregrinari admirably corresponds. The man of Bethlehem, Judah, went forth from his own country to "peregrinate" (Greek, παροικῆσαι) "in the land of Moab;" literally, "in the fields of Moab," that is, "in the pastoral parts of the territory of Moab." It was not a very great way off, this land of his "peregrination." Its blue mountains, rising up luridly beyond the silver thread of the Jordan and the gleaming expanse of the Dead Sea, are distinctly visible from the Mount of Olives and the heights about Bethlehem. He, and his wife, and his two sons. The resumptive he is employed for the purpose of linking on to him, in his "peregrination, the other members of the little household. He emigrated "along with his wife and two sons." He had fought hard to keep the wolf of hunger from his door, but was like to be beaten. One after another the props of his hope that better days would soon dawn had been swept from under him, and he saw no alternative but to leave for a season the land of his fathers. <a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In the days בִּימֵי֙ (bî·mê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day when the judges הַשֹּׁפְטִ֔ים (haš·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate ruled, שְׁפֹ֣ט (šə·p̄ōṭ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate there was וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a famine רָעָ֖ב (rā·‘āḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> Famine, hunger in the land. בָּאָ֑רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land And a certain man אִ֜ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person from מִבֵּ֧ית (mib·bêṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Bethlehem לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem) Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun in Judah, יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites with his wife וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (wə·’iš·tōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and two וּשְׁנֵ֥י (ū·šə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) sons, בָנָֽיו׃ (ḇā·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son went וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk to reside לָגוּר֙ (lā·ḡūr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility in the land בִּשְׂדֵ֣י (biś·ḏê) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land of Moab. מוֹאָ֔ב (mō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4124.htm">Strong's 4124: </a> Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:1 It happened in the days when (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/21-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 21:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 21:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:2" /></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>