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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:
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. |
Bible Answer: Jim, I can appreciate your dilemma with the ‘land of Moab’. Indeed the references regarding the land or plains across from Jericho are not what the scripture indicates as Moab in other passages; most especially that which was not given Israel as a possession. The reference to the Amorite kingdom which was given to Rueben and Gad as the ‘land of Moab’ in Deuteronomy 32:49, et al is likely due to the history noted by Moses in Numbers 21:26-31. Here he speaks of a previous war where the Moabites lost part of their land to the Amorites; this is the land between the Arnon and Jabbok rivers. That noted, it is generally accepted that the story of Ruth occurred at a point in history shared by the timeline covered by the book of Judges. Now, the book of Judges records a dispute between Israel and Ammon which notes the following: Speaking of Israel at the time of the Exodus the author notes, “Then they [Israel] went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.” When the scripture says here, ‘they did not enter the territory of Moab,’ it is plain that the people of the day considered the ‘land of Moab’ to be what was at that time the nation of Moab and not what was previously the Amorite kingdom; that is the land taken from Moab. So when the book of Ruth refers to the land of Moab, it is reasonable to accept that the author refered to the nation, not the previously owned territory. As for Ruth’s lineage; to begin with it generally accepted that she was of Moabite descent. From the text, as the ‘Moabitess’ she must be considered descendant of Moab. And when she said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God,” (Ruth 1:16) she removes all doubt. For certainly no Israelite would deny that her god was the God of Israel and swear Him allegiance with the same breath. As for the ordinance of Deuteronomy 23; God’s love for David appears to have leapt forward to James’ proclamation, where he notes in chapter 2 verse 13; “mercy triumphs over justice.” How fortunate for us, lest the Son of David not be welcome in the assembly of the LORD… MP PS - Thanks that was fun... |