Lux Domini
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.

What does Ruth 1:1 mean?

Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family.

Key themes

HopeHesedProvidenceLoyalty

Read with

Keep this verse inside Ruth 1:1-5 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Glossary

Bethlehem Place

House of bread. (1. ) A city in the “hill country” of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath ( Gen. 35:16 , 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11 ). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah ( Micah 5:2 ), Beth-lehem-judah. Modern identification: Bethlehem.

Moab Place

Biblical region. Modern identification: Kerak.