Ruth 1:7 kjv

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Ruth 1:7 nkjv

Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Ruth 1:7 niv

With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

Ruth 1:7 esv

So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Ruth 1:7 nlt

With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

Ruth 1 verses

Ruth 1 7 Meaning

Ruth 1:7 describes the pivotal moment when Naomi, having decided to leave Moab after hearing of God's renewed provision in Judah, begins her journey back to Bethlehem. She is accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, as they physically embark on the road leading toward the land of Judah, setting the stage for the narrative's key developments.

Ruth 1 7 Context

Ruth chapter 1 opens with Elimelech, Naomi's husband, migrating with his family from Bethlehem-Judah to Moab due to a severe famine. This decision leads to a decade of hardship, during which Elimelech and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, die, leaving Naomi and her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, widowed and destitute. Verse 7 follows Naomi's decision, stated in verse 6, to return to Judah after hearing that the LORD had provided food for His people. This verse marks the physical commencement of their journey out of the foreign land of Moab and back toward the promised land, setting the stage for the future unfolding of God's providence and Ruth's steadfast loyalty. The broader historical context is the volatile period of the Judges, a time when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25), highlighting a time of instability but also divine oversight even in challenging circumstances.

Ruth 1 7 Word analysis

• So she went out (וַתֵּצֵא, va-tetzei): This Hebrew imperfect consecutive verb signifies an immediate action following Naomi's decision in the previous verse. It emphasizes her proactive departure from a place of great sorrow and loss. It reflects a decisive turning point, an active step towards a new phase of life, marking the end of her sojourn in Moab.
• from the place (מִן הַמָּקוֹם, min ha-maqom): This refers directly to her current dwelling in Moab, signifying a literal exodus from the foreign land that had brought her immense grief. It highlights a complete separation from her past and everything associated with Moab's desolation and idolatry.
• where she was (אֲשֶׁר הָיְתָה שָׁם, asher hayetah sham): This phrase emphasizes Moab as her place of residence and tragic experience. It clearly establishes the starting point of their journey, grounding the narrative in geographical and personal reality. It contrasts with "the land of Judah" as her ultimate destination and true home.
• and her two daughters-in-law (וּשְׁתֵּי כַלֹּתֶיהָ, u-shtei kalloteiha): The Hebrew term kallah (כַּלָּה) can mean 'daughter-in-law' or 'bride.' Here, it emphasizes the continuing familial bond despite the death of their husbands. Their collective presence at this juncture highlights the initial unity and shared predicament of the three widowed women. Their willingness to accompany Naomi is significant for the upcoming test of loyalty.
• with her (עִמָּהּ, immah): This preposition underscores their solidarity and companionship in this difficult journey. They are not merely following, but actively sharing the path with Naomi, reflecting a close relationship forged in shared grief and uncertainty.
• and they went on the way (וַתֵּלַכְנָה בַּדֶּרֶךְ, va-telakhnah ba-derekh): The plural verb indicates their joint movement, literally walking on a physical road or path. "On the way" suggests not just a route, but also the unfolding process of their lives and decision-making, where the choices made on this journey will shape their future destinies.
• to return (לָשׁוּב, la-shuv): This infinitive construct signifies the clear purpose and destination of their journey. The Hebrew root shuv (שׁוּב) means 'to turn,' 'to return,' or 'to repent.' Here, it signifies a physical turning back to their origin but also implicitly carries a deeper spiritual resonance of 'returning' to God's promised land and, by extension, to His covenant and blessing after a period of alienation. This "return" is a central theological theme of the book.
• to the land of Judah (אֶל אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה, el eretz Yehudah): Specifies the homeland and the destination, Bethlehem being within Judah. This is the promised land, the covenant land of Israel. Returning here symbolizes a restoration of hope, community, and reliance upon God's provision, away from the famine and foreignness experienced in Moab.

• "So she went out... with her two daughters-in-law... and they went on the way": This sequence of actions portrays a collective undertaking driven by Naomi. The repetition of verbs of movement ("went out," "went on the way") emphasizes the determined action taken by these women in their difficult circumstances. It highlights a shared vulnerability and purpose before their paths diverge.
• "from the place where she was... to return to the land of Judah": This phrase succinctly captures the entire journey and its meaning: a purposeful move from a barren, sorrowful past in a foreign land to a hopeful, divinely promised future in their homeland. This contrast between "the place where she was" (Moab) and "the land of Judah" encapsulates the dramatic shift from desolation to the prospect of renewal.

Ruth 1 7 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the theme of pilgrimage and reliance on divine guidance in difficult times. Their "going on the way" (בַּדֶּרֶךְ) is more than just a physical transit; it represents a journey of transformation and dependency on God's provision, as the future is unknown. The shared departure of the three women initially showcases a solidarity that will be tested. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "the land of Judah" underscores the significance of the Abrahamic covenant and the divine intention for His people to dwell in that land, even when life's difficulties might have led them elsewhere. It is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His people and land, even when they, like Elimelech's family, stray for survival.

Ruth 1 7 Commentary

Ruth 1:7 marks a crucial turning point in the narrative of Naomi and her daughters-in-law. After experiencing devastating loss in Moab, Naomi, having heard of God's favorable attention to His people in Judah by providing food, makes a decisive move to return. The verse shows this decision being immediately acted upon, with the three widows setting out together. This shared physical journey emphasizes their initial unity and common plight, as they leave behind a land of sorrow and emptiness. It is a moment of faith, an active step back toward the covenant land where God's promises were manifested. This verse establishes the context for the subsequent critical dialogue and decision between Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth, ultimately setting the stage for Ruth's enduring loyalty and the remarkable chain of events that leads to divine restoration and the lineage of King David and Christ.