Ruth 1:2

Authorized King James Version

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְשֵׁ֥ם

H8034

And the name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָאִ֣ישׁ

H376

of the man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ

H458

was Elimelech

elimelek, an israelite

וְשֵׁ֥ם

H8034

And the name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ

H802

of his wife

a woman

נָֽעֳמִ֜י

H5281

Naomi

noomi, an israelitess

וְשֵׁ֥ם

H8034

And the name

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שְׁנֵֽי

H8147

of his two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנָ֣יו׀

H1121

sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#10

מַחְל֤וֹן

H4248

Mahlon

machlon, an israelite

#11

וְכִלְיוֹן֙

H3630

and Chilion

kiljon, an israelite

#12

אֶפְרָתִ֔ים

H673

Ephrathites

an ephrathite or an ephraimite

#13

מִבֵּ֥ית

#14

לֶ֖חֶם

H1035

of Bethlehemjudah

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

#15

יְהוּדָ֑ה

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

#16

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ

H935

And they came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#17

שְׂדֵי

H7704

into the country

a field (as flat)

#18

מוֹאָ֖ב

H4124

of Moab

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

#19

וַיִּֽהְיוּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#20

שָֽׁם׃

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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