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NASB | Ruth 1:1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ruth 1:1 In the days when the judges governed [Israel], there was a famine in the land [of Canaan]. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live temporarily in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. |
Bible Question (short): Which "land of Moab" in Ruth? |
Question (full): Ruth 1:1 Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. Which “land of Moab” did Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons sojourn? Was it the “land of Moab” across the Jordon where “Moses undertook to expound this law.” (Deu 1:5), where Moses spoke the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded (Deu 29:1), opposite Jericho which contains Mount Nebo (Deu 32:49) and where Moses died and is buried (Deu 34:5-6)? This is the land also described as “the plains of Moab” which were given to the tribes of Gad and Reuben as an inheritance (Joshua 13:32). “It was indeed a place suitable for livestock” (Num 32:1). It was beyond the Jordan between the Arnon and Jabbok Rivers. Or was it the actual nation of Moab? If it is the nation of Moab, then how is this reconciled with Deu. 23:3? "No . . .Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD.” The “land of Moab” is a phrase used to describe both areas of land. It seems, coming from Bethlehem, they would first travel through the “land of Moab” occupied by Gad and Reuben before reaching the nation of Moab. Ruth could be referred to as a “Moabitess” because she was a Moab by birth, or as her place of residence as a Reubenite or Gadite. Just as Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons were known as Ephrathites (Ruth 1:2). Thank you. |