BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ruth› Chapter 1› Verse 4

Ruth 1:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ruth 1:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.
Ruth 1:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Ruth 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2And 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 Bethlehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3And Elimelech, Naomi`s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelt there about ten years.
5And Mahlon and Chilion died both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband.
6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Jehovah had visited his people in giving them bread.
7And 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 1:3Ruth 1:5 →
← Full Chapter 1 Ruth Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they took them wives of the women of Moab, etc.] Not before they were proselyted to the Jewish religion, as Aben Ezra thinks, and which seems plainly to be the case of Ruth; at least she was so afterwards, if not before; and also of Orpah, as the same writer concludes from (<080115>Ruth 1:15) though others are of a different opinion, and some excuse their marriage, and others condemn it as unlawful, among whom is the Targumist, who paraphrases the words, “and they transgressed the decree of the Word of the Lord, and took to them strange wives of the daughters of Moab;” however it was so permitted by the Lord, and ordered in Providence, that from one of them the Messiah might spring: and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Marriages of Israelites with women of Ammon or Moab are nowhere in the Law expressly forbidden, as were marriages with the women of Canaan Deuteronomy 7:1-3. In the days of Nehemiah the special law Deuteronomy 23:3-6 was interpreted as forbidding them, and as excluding the children of such marriages from the congregation of Israel Nehemiah 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, Mahlon Ruth 4:10. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Took wives - Either these were Proselytes when they married them, or they sinned in marrying them, and therefore were punished with short life, and want of issue. Ruth 1:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:4 Kilion married . . . Orpah; Mahlon married Ruth (see 4:10).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they took: The Targum says, "they transgressed the decree of the word of the Lord, and took to them strange women." wives: Deu 7:3, Deu 23:3; Kg1 11:1, Kg1 11:2 Ruth: Mat 1:5 Ruth 1:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ruth 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification