King James Version

What Does Ruth 1:1 Mean?

Ruth 1:1 in the King James Version says “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 Bethleh...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. ruled: Heb. judged”

Ruth 1:1 · King James Version

Context

1

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. ruled: Heb. judged

2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, 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. continued: Heb. were

3

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

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

This opening establishes the historical setting during Israel's darkest period—"when the judges ruled" (b'yemei shefot ha-shoftim, בִּימֵי שְׁפֹט הַשֹּׁפְטִים). The book of Judges describes this era as one when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), characterized by spiritual apostasy, moral chaos, and military oppression. Against this backdrop of national failure, Ruth's story emerges as a beacon of covenant faithfulness.

The famine (ra'av, רָעָב) in the land is theologically significant. Deuteronomy 28 explicitly identifies famine as covenant curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:17-18, 23-24). The land God promised to give Israel, flowing with milk and honey, now produces nothing—a divine indictment of the nation's spiritual condition. That the famine strikes Bethlehem ("house of bread") is deeply ironic—the very place named for abundance now experiences devastating scarcity.

Elimelech's decision to "sojourn" (lagur, לָגוּר) in Moab reveals desperation driving him to compromise. Moab, descended from Lot's incestuous relationship (Genesis 19:30-38), was Israel's enemy, excluded from the assembly of the Lord to the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). Seeking sustenance from God's enemies rather than trusting divine provision represents a failure of faith—a pattern repeated throughout Israel's history when believers look to the world rather than God for deliverance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The period of the judges (c. 1380-1050 BCE) was Israel's tribal confederation era before the monarchy. The cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, crying out, and deliverance characterized this time. Archaeological evidence shows the Late Bronze Age transition to Iron Age I was marked by political instability, with the Egyptian Empire's withdrawal creating a power vacuum in Canaan.

Bethlehem, located about six miles south of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judah, was a small agricultural village dependent on seasonal rains for grain crops. Drought or localized famine could devastate such communities. The Moabite plateau east of the Dead Sea, watered by different weather patterns, might escape drought affecting Judah, explaining Elimelech's decision to seek refuge there.

Moab's history with Israel was conflicted. Though related through Abraham's nephew Lot, Moabites refused Israel passage during the Exodus (Judges 11:17) and hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). King Eglon of Moab oppressed Israel for eighteen years during the judges period (Judges 3:12-30). Deuteronomy 23:3-6 forbade Moabite entry into Israel's assembly, making intermarriage with Moabites controversial. The Moabite Stone (c. 840 BCE) provides extra-biblical evidence of Moab's power and conflicts with Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What "famines" in your spiritual life might indicate God's discipline calling you to repentance rather than escape?
  2. When facing trials, how can you discern between wise practical action and faithless flight from God's purposes?
  3. What evidence of covenant faithfulness characterizes your life during this era of cultural and moral confusion?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בִּימֵי֙2 of 19

“Now it came to pass in the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשֹּֽׁפְטִ֔ים3 of 19

“ruled”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

הַשֹּֽׁפְטִ֔ים4 of 19

“ruled”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וַיְהִ֥י5 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רָעָ֖ב6 of 19

“that there was a famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

בָּאָ֑רֶץ7 of 19

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ8 of 19
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אִ֜ישׁ9 of 19

“And a certain man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִבֵּ֧ית10 of 19
H0
לֶ֣חֶם11 of 19

“of Bethlehemjudah”

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

יְהוּדָ֗ה12 of 19
H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לָגוּר֙13 of 19

“to sojourn”

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

בִּשְׂדֵ֣י14 of 19

“in the country”

H7704

a field (as flat)

מוֹאָ֔ב15 of 19

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

ה֥וּא16 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְאִשְׁתּ֖וֹ17 of 19

“he and his wife”

H802

a woman

וּשְׁנֵ֥י18 of 19

“and his two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנָֽיו׃19 of 19

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ruth. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ruth 1:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ruth 1:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 12:10Genesis 26:1Ezekiel 14:13Deuteronomy 28:38Genesis 43:1Judges 17:8

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem 1Settlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E52 verses across 14 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Ruth 1 →

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