Bible Commentaries

Now it came to pass in the days. Occurs five times. Always denotes impending trouble, followed by happy deliverance. Compare Genesis 14:1. Esther 1:1. Isaiah 7:1. Jeremiah 1:3.

when the judges ruled. Doubtless, in the early days, before the sin of Jdg 1 developed the later internal disorders, and outward oppressions.

a famine. See note on Genesis 12:10.

country = fields.

Elimelech = My God is king.

Naomi = My pleasant one. Mahlon = Sick.

Chilion = Pining.

Ephrathites. Ephrath was the ancient name of Beth-lehem, where Rachel was buried (Genesis 35:19; Genesis 48:7).

took them wives. Canaanitish wives forbidden (Deuteronomy 7:3, &c.), but not Moabitish wives; though a Moabite man might not enter the congregation of Jehovah. See note, Deuteronomy 23:3.

Orpah = Hind or Fawn.

Ruth = Beauty. Wife of Mahlon the elder.

left = left survivor.

return. This was in 1326, the year before the second jubilee (1325-1324). See App-50.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

visited. Compare Exodus 4:31. Psalms 132:15. Luke 1:68.

as = according as.

rest. Compare Ruth 3:1. A characteristic word in this Book.

we will return with thee. This liberty was allowed by the laws of Khammurabi, 171-173 and 177.

why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

should say = should have said.

Would . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

Beth-lehem = House of bread.

them. Feminine. And the verb "call" is feminine, also, so that Naomi was addressing the women. the ALMIGHTY = Shaddai. See App-4.

the Moabitess. So called five times. In Deuteronomy 23:3, it is masculine, and does not affect Ruth.

barley harvest. Therefore at the Passover.