What is the meaning of Ruth 1?

Introduction to Ruth 1

The first chapter of Ruth unfolds as one of Scripture’s most poignant narratives of loss, loyalty, and divine providence. This opening chapter introduces us to Naomi, her daughter-in-law Ruth, and their journey from devastating grief to a new beginning. Through their story, we witness how יהוה (Yahweh) works through human tragedy to accomplish His redemptive purposes, setting the stage for one of the most beautiful examples of chesed (covenant faithfulness and love) in the Bible.

The chapter’s significance extends far beyond its historical narrative, serving as a profound illustration of redemption and the sovereign hand of God working through ordinary people in desperate circumstances. Through Ruth’s famous declaration of loyalty to Naomi and her God, we encounter themes that would later find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah Himself.

Context of Ruth 1

The events of Ruth take place “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1), a dark period in Israel’s history characterized by moral and spiritual decay, as described in Judges 21:25: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The book of Ruth provides a stark contrast to the chaos and unfaithfulness prevalent in Judges, showcasing how יהוה preserved a faithful remnant even in times of national apostasy.

Within the larger biblical narrative, Ruth 1 serves as a crucial link in the messianic lineage. The story’s setting in Bethlehem and its conclusion leading to the lineage of King David connects directly to the future birth of Yeshua the Messiah. This seemingly simple tale of two widows becomes part of God’s grand redemptive plan, demonstrating how He works through ordinary people and circumstances to fulfill His extraordinary promises.

The chapter also presents a powerful picture of conversion, as Ruth abandons her Moabite heritage to embrace the God of Israel. This gentile inclusion into the covenant community foreshadows the future ingathering of the nations into God’s family through the Messiah.

Ancient Key Word Study

• לֶחֶם (lechem) – “bread” (Ruth 1:1): The Hebrew word for bread appears significantly in “Bethlehem” (House of Bread). The irony of leaving the “House of Bread” during a famine emphasizes human attempts to find sustenance apart from God’s appointed place of blessing.
• חֶסֶד (hesed) – “lovingkindness” (Ruth 1:8): This foundational covenant term describes God’s faithful love and appears as a key theme throughout Ruth. It represents a love that goes beyond mere feeling to encompass faithful action and commitment.
• דָּבַק (dabaq) – “cling” (Ruth 1:14): The same word used in Genesis 2:24 for marriage, indicating Ruth’s complete commitment to Naomi parallels the covenant relationship between God and His people.
• מָרָא (mara) – “bitter” (Ruth 1:20): Naomi’s chosen name reflects the Hebrew understanding of names as reflecting character or circumstance. The word connects to the bitter herbs of Passover, suggesting a theme of redemption through suffering.
• שׁוּב (shuv) – “return” (Ruth 1:22): This word appears twelve times in the chapter, carrying both physical and spiritual connotations of returning/repenting. It’s the same word used for repentance in the prophets.
• עָזַב (azav) – “forsake/leave” (Ruth 1:16): Ruth’s vow uses this powerful term to express complete abandonment of her former life, echoing God’s promise to never forsake His people.
• אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – “God” (Ruth 1:16): Ruth’s acceptance of Naomi’s God uses this plural form of majesty, indicating her recognition of the one true God’s supreme authority.

Compare & Contrast

• Ruth 1:1‘s phrase “in the days when the judges ruled” uses the Hebrew שָׁפַט (shafat) rather than מָלַךְ (malak – to reign), emphasizing the temporary and inferior nature of the judges’ authority compared to the future Davidic kingdom.
• Ruth 1:8‘s blessing by Naomi uses יַעַשׂ (ya’as – “may He do”) rather than the more common בָּרַךְ (barak – to bless), suggesting active divine intervention rather than a mere pronouncement of good wishes.
• Ruth 1:14 contrasts נָשַׁק (nashaq – “kissed”) with דָּבַק (dabaq – “clung”), highlighting the difference between Orpah’s emotional but temporary attachment and Ruth’s permanent commitment.
• Ruth 1:16-17‘s famous declaration uses seven expressions of commitment, paralleling the seven-fold covenant formula common in ancient Near Eastern treaties.
• Ruth 1:20‘s name change from Naomi (pleasant) to Mara (bitter) employs wordplay that would have resonated with Hebrew hearers, similar to other biblical name changes marking spiritual transitions.
• Ruth 1:22‘s mention of the barley harvest uses קָצִיר (qatzir) rather than אָסִיף (asif – gathering), emphasizing the beginning rather than completion of harvest, foreshadowing more to come.

Ruth 1 Unique Insights

The chapter contains a fascinating parallel to the exodus narrative, but in reverse. While Israel left Egypt with great wealth, Naomi returns to Bethlehem empty. Both journeys involve leaving a foreign land, crossing boundaries, and arriving at harvest time. This reverse exodus motif suggests a theme of restoration and return that points toward the ultimate ingathering of both Jews and Gentiles into God’s kingdom.

The Midrash Ruth Rabbah notes that Ruth’s conversion statement in Ruth 1:16-17 contains all the essential elements required for conversion to Judaism. Her words parallel the requirements later codified in rabbinic literature: acceptance of God, His people, His commandments, and willingness to share in their suffering. This understanding enriches our appreciation of Ruth as a model of genuine faith and commitment.

The timing of their return during barley harvest connects to the feast of Firstfruits, suggesting themes of resurrection and new beginnings. The Targum Ruth explicitly connects this timing to Passover, viewing Ruth’s story as a parallel to Israel’s redemption. This timing proves providential, as the barley harvest leads to Ruth’s encounters with Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer.

Early rabbinic commentary in Bava Batra identifies Ruth as the daughter of Eglon, king of Moab, making her choice to follow Naomi even more remarkable. This tradition, while extra-biblical, highlights the radical nature of Ruth’s decision to abandon power and privilege to follow the God of Israel, foreshadowing how the Messiah would later leave His heavenly glory to redeem humanity.

Ruth 1 Connections to Yeshua

The themes of redemption and restoration in Ruth 1 find their ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. Just as Ruth left her people to join herself to Israel and their God, Yeshua left heaven’s glory to identify with humanity. The concept of hesed (covenant faithfulness) displayed in Ruth’s commitment to Naomi reflects the perfect hesed of the Messiah in His redemptive work.

Ruth’s status as a Moabite woman who becomes part of the messianic lineage demonstrates God’s plan to include Gentiles in His redemptive purposes. This foreshadows the Messiah’s work in breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14). Moreover, the theme of emptiness and fullness in Naomi’s story parallels how Yeshua emptied Himself to bring us spiritual fullness (Philippians 2:7).

Ruth 1 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter’s themes resonate throughout Scripture in remarkable ways. Ruth’s famous declaration echoes Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Both represent decisive moments of covenant commitment. The famine that drives Elimelech’s family to Moab recalls similar famines in Genesis that led to significant developments in redemptive history, particularly Abraham and Isaac’s sojourns.

Naomi’s bitterness parallels Hannah’s anguish in 1 Samuel 1, both stories ultimately leading to key figures in the Davidic line. The theme of redemption through a kinsman connects to the broader biblical narrative of God as Israel’s Redeemer, culminating in Yeshua’s role as our Kinsman-Redeemer.

Ruth 1 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own commitment to God in times of bitter providence. Naomi’s honesty about her pain while still returning to God’s people demonstrates that faith can coexist with deep hurt. Her story encourages us to bring our raw emotions to God while continuing to walk in His ways.

Ruth’s extraordinary commitment calls us to evaluate the depth of our own devotion to God and His people. Her words, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God,” challenge us to consider whether we’ve fully embraced God’s family and purposes, or if we’re holding back parts of our former life.

The chapter also reminds us that God works through ordinary circumstances and choices to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. Just as He used famine, death, and the loyalty of a Moabite widow to advance His redemptive plan, He can use our circumstances – even painful ones – to fulfill His purposes in and through us.

Did You Know

• The distance from Moab to Bethlehem was approximately 50 miles, a dangerous journey for two women to make alone in ancient times, highlighting their desperate circumstances and remarkable faith.
• The name Bethlehem (House of Bread) becomes ironic in light of the famine, yet God ultimately uses this city to bring forth the “Bread of Life.”
• Ancient Near Eastern custom considered a widow’s best security to be remarriage within her husband’s family, making Naomi’s release of her daughters-in-law particularly sacrificial.
• The harvest mentioned at the chapter’s end would have been around April/May, corresponding to the time of Passover and the Feast of Firstfruits.
• Ruth’s vow in verses 16-17 follows the pattern of ancient Near Eastern covenant formulary, containing seven elements of commitment.
• The term “Ephrathah” associated with Bethlehem means “fruitful,” creating a stark contrast with the themes of emptiness and death in the chapter.
• The book of Ruth is traditionally read during the feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), connecting themes of harvest, covenant commitment, and the giving of the Torah.
• Moabites were traditionally excluded from the assembly of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3), making Ruth’s inclusion in the messianic line even more remarkable.