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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

Ruth 1

Ruth 1:1

RUTH CHAPTER 1 A famine in Canaan. Elimelech removes to Moab; with Naomi his wife, and his two sons, who marry Orpah and Ruth there; and die, RUTH 1:1. Naomi returns to Judah; her daughters-in-law accompany her on her way, RUTH 1:6. Orpah returns home to her people and gods; Ruth remains, being con... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:2

EPHRATHITES; so called, because this _Beth-lehem_ is otherwise called _Ephrath_ or _Ephratah_, GENESIS 35:19 MICAH 5:2; either from Caleb's wife of that name, 1 CHRONICLES 2:19, 1 CHRONICLES 4:4, or from the fertility of the soil about it; which title may therefore be used here, to show the greatnes... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:4

OF THE WOMEN OF MOAB; either these were proselytes when they married them, which may well be doubted, from RUTH 1:15, or they sinned in marrying them, as appears from DEUTERONOMY 7:3, DEUTERONOMY 23:3 EZRA 9:1,2 NE 13:23, and therefore were punished with short life and want of issue, RUTH 1:5,19,21.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:8

EACH TO HER MOTHER'S HOUSE; not that they wanted fathers, RUTH 2:11, but because daughters used to converse more frequently with their mothers, and to be most endeared to them, and to dwell in the same apartments with them, which then were distinct from those parts of the house where the men dwelt.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:9

REST, i.e. a quiet and happy life, free from those cares, vexations, encumbrances, and troubles which widows are in a special manner exposed unto. SHE KISSED THEM, as the manner there was when friends parted.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:11

According to the ancient custom, GE 38, and the express law of God, DEUTERONOMY 25:5, which doubtless she had acquainted them with before, among other branches of the Jewish religion, wherein she did instruct them.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:12

GO YOUR WAY. QUEST. Why doth she dissuade them from this journey, and not rather persuade them to go with her, and to embrace the Jewish religion? ANSW. 1. Possibly she thought such dissuasion might be the best way to persuade them, as it oft happens; especially in that sex. 2. She would not have... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:13

WOULD YE STAY FOR THEM FROM HAVING HUSBANDS? it is unreasonable for me to expect it, or for you to perform it. FOR YOUR SAKES; that you are left without the comfort of husbands or children; that I must part with such dear and affectionate daughters; and that my circumstances are such that I cannot i... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:14

ORPAH KISSED HER MOTHER-IN-LAW, i.e. departed from with a kiss, as the manner was, GENESIS 31:28 1 KINGS 19:20.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:15

UNTO HER PEOPLE, AND UNTO HER GODS; which she saith, partly, to try Ruth's sincerity and constancy; partly, that by upbraiding Orpah with her idolatry she might consequently turn her from it; and partly, that she might intimate to her, that if she went with her, she must embrace the true God and rel... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:16

I renounce those idols which my sister hath returned to, and I wilt worship no other God but thine, who is indeed the only true God.... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:19

Is this she that formerly lived in so much plenty and honour? Oh how marvellously is her condition changed, that she is returned in this forlorn and desolate condition!... [ Continue Reading ]

Ruth 1:21

FULL; with my husband and sons, and a plentiful estate for our support. HATH TESTIFIED AGAINST ME, i.e. hath borne witness, as it were, in judgment, and given sentence against me, and declared my sin by my punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]

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