Ruth 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 4

1 And it happened in the days of the judging, of those judging, there was a famine in the land. And a man from Bethlehem-judah went to live in the fields of Moab, he and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech; and the name of his wife Naomi. And the name of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the fields of Moab, and remained there.

3 And Naomi's husband Elimelech died; And she was left, and her two sons.

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Chapter Summary

Elimelech driven by famine into Moab, dies there. 4 Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also. 6 Naomi returns homeward, advising her daughters-in-law to seek husbands there. 14 Orpah leaves her, Ruth goes with her.

Key Hebrew Words

שׁוּב turn back, return H7725 · TWOT 2340
חֶ֫סֶד covenant kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a
דָּבַק cling, hold fast H1692 · TWOT 398
מְנוּחָה rest, security H4496 · TWOT 1323f
מָרַר be bitter H4843 · TWOT 1248
יְהוָה Jehovah H3068 · TWOT 484a

People & Context

Naomi

Widow who loses husband and sons in Moab and returns to Bethlehem, asking to be called Bitterness

Ruth

Moabite daughter-in-law who clings to Naomi, vowing her people and her God will be Ruth's own

Orpah

Moabite daughter-in-law who weeps, kisses Naomi farewell, and turns back to her people and gods

Elimelech

Bethlehemite husband of Naomi who moves to Moab during the famine and dies there

Mahlon

Son of Elimelech and Naomi who marries a Moabite woman and dies in Moab

Chilion

Son of Elimelech and Naomi who marries a Moabite woman and dies in Moab

Timeline

Move to Moab

Due to a famine, Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons moved from Bethlehem-judah to live in the fields of Moab.

Ruth 1:1-2
Death of Elimelech

Naomi's husband Elimelech died, leaving her and her two sons.

Ruth 1:3
Sons Marry

Mahlon and Chilion took Moabite wives named Orpah and Ruth, and lived there for about ten years.

Ruth 1:4

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