RUTH 1


1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges [ yamim when HaShofetim] ruled, that there was a famine [ra'av] in the land. And a certain man [Elimelech] of Bethlehemjudah [ish of Beit-Lechem Yehudah] went to sojourn in the country of Moab [sadei Moav], he, and his wife [isha], and his two sons [banim].

The judges (shophetim) ... acted as vice-regents of Yahweh, as His deputies, ruling on His behalf. He was the real King in Israel (Judges 8:23), though the people often revolted against His rule.

"There was no king in Israel" - Judges 18:1*

...There was great hunger throughout the land. It was the means whereby Yahweh punished His people because of sin ...

if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins Lev 26: 18

The worst famine, however, is a lack of the Word.

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Yahweh, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Yahweh...In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst" - Amos 8:11-13.

The dispersion of Israel was foreshadowed by Elimelech leaving Bethlehem to seek bread elsewhere.

The Christadelphian Expositor



The description of Elimelech as "a certain man" indicates that he was well known in Bethlehem, and that he was a prominent citizen of the town. This is further suggested by the reception Naomi receives on her return, and the connection of the family with the wealthy and prominent Boaz.*



At Bethlehem:

Rachel died in giving birth to Benjamin, and before her death called him Ben-oni, or The Son of my sorrow. But his father changed his name to Benjamin.

Then Herod... slew all the children that were in Bethlehem...Rachel weeping for her children, would not be comforted - Matt 2: 16

To Israel after the flesh, the Lord was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," but his Father called him to the heavens, and constituted him [Benjamin] the Son of His Right Hand - Psa 80: 17.



Went to sojourn

- Lit. To dwell as a foreigner or stranger

Apparently the original intention of Elimelech was to remain separate from the people of Moab; but gradually its influence involved him more and more. In similar manner, Israelites in dispersion, gradually assimilated the culture and teaching of the countries where they were driven, and finally adopted their manner of life.

Notice how the influence of their environment gradually dominated Elimelech and his family. The sojourning of v. 1, merges into the continuing of v. 2, and finally becomes the dwelling there of v. 4. Three steps of decline in which their original resolve to return was forgotten.

In the country of Moab


- Moab was situated east and south-east of the Dead Sea, and occupied a stretch of land about 50 miles long by 30 miles wide. It consisted of high tablelands 2,300 to 3,300 feet above sea level, and could be clearly seen from Bethlehem. The soil is extremely fertile and produces large crops of wheat. It is known as the "green plateau," be-cause of the rich, luxuriant growth of pasture and crops, especially in its well watered canyons and hollows. Strictly the area was south of the River Arnon - Num. 21: 13,26; Jud. 11: 18.

..."Moab" signifies one derived from a father, that is, one born of the flesh. He was the son of Lot's elder daughter, and was conceived in sin, through incest - Gen. 19: 37. The Moabites were known for their hostility towards Israel. It was a king of Moab who hired the Babylonish prophet, Balaam, to curse Israel - Num. 22:7, and the daughters of Moab who caused the people to commit whoredom and bow down to pagan gods - Num. 25: 1-3



2 And the name of the man was Elimelech [My King is El], and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

My King is El

"And the name of the man was Elimelech"

In the type he represents Israel as a Theocracy: the Kingdom of God.

"And the name of his wife Naomi" —

Naomi signifies Pleasantness, Favour, Sweetness. In the type she represents the Abrahamic covenant, described by Paul in his allegory as "Jerusalem which is above . . the mother of us all" (Gal. 4:26). As representative of the covenant people, she is wedded to Elimelech.

"Thy Maker is thine Husband" declared Isaiah to such (Isaiah 54:5).

"And the names of his two sons were"

— In the typology of this interesting and instructive book, it is significant that Elimelech had two sons, for it represents the division that followed the reign of Solomon. Israel became divided into two sections answering to the two sickly sons of Elimelech.

As this book was written some time after the birth of David (Ruth 4:22), it comprised a record that the faithful could consult with profit. In the days of the divided monarchy, it could teach such that though Israel was divided, and though it would go into captivity, the faithful remnant would return, as did Naomi.

"Mahlon" — Mahlon's name means sickly or puny. It comes from a root meaning to rub, to wear away, hence to be weak or sick. In the type he represents one of the two divisions into which, ultimately, the nation was divided. His name expresses the spiritual weakness of the nation.


"And Chilion" — Chilion signifies pining or wasting, from a root denoting to be spent, or consumed. Chilion's name suggests a consumption to an end. In the type he represents the other division of Israel which likewise was taken into captivity, which deserted The House of Bread for The Land of Sin and Death.

The Christadelphian Expositor