Ruth 1:4

"They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab. The name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there about ten years."

Key Reflection

This passage highlights the Israelites' departure from their cultural and religious norms by marrying women from Moab, a gentile nation. The names Orpah and Ruth, meaning "back" and "friend," respectively, foreshadow the differing responses to Naomi's call to return with her, with Ruth’s unwavering commitment symbolizing faithfulness and devotion in contrast to Orpah’s hesitance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Marriages of Israelites with women of Ammon or Moab are nowhere in the Law expressly forbidden, as were marriages with the women of CanaanDeuteronomy 7:1-3. In the days of Nehemiah the special lawDeuteronomy 23:3-6was interpreted as forbidding them, and as excluding the children of such marriages from the congregation of IsraelNehemiah 13:1-3. Probably the marriages of Mahlon and Chilion would be justified by necessity, living as they were in a foreign land. Ruth was the wife of the older brother, MahlonRuth 4:10.

More from Ruth 1

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