RUTH 1:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) The man’s name was Elimelek and he was married to Naomi, and their sons’ names were Mahlon and Kilion. (They were part of the clan of Efratah from Beyt-Lehem in Yehudah.) They travelled to the Moab countryside and lived there.

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀνδρὶ Ἐλιμέλεχ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Νωεμὶν, καὶ ὄνομα τοῖς δυσὶν υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ Μααλὼν, καὶ Χελαιὼν, Ἐφραθαῖοι ἐκ Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰούδα· καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς ἀγρὸν Μωὰβ, καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ.
(Kai onoma tōi andri Elimeleⱪ, kai onoma taʸ gunaiki autou Nōemin, kai onoma tois dusin huiois autou Maʼalōn, kai Ⱪelaiōn, Efrathaioi ek Baʸthleem taʸs Youda; kai aʸlthosan eis agron Mōab, kai aʸsan ekei. )

BrTr And the man's name was Elimelech, and his wife's name Noemin, and the names of his two sons Maalon and Chelaion, Ephrathites of Bethleem of Juda: and they came to the land of Moab, and remained there.

NETS The name of the man was Abimelech, and the name of his wife, Noemin, and the name of his two sons, Maalon and Chelaion, Ephrathites from Baithleem in Iouda. They went into the countryside of Moab and remained there.

ULT And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. So they traveled to the fields of Moab and lived there.

UST The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. All of them were part of the clan of Ephrathah, from Bethlehem in Judah. They came to the land of Moab and stayed there.

OEB His name was Elimelech and his wife’s was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. After they had been living in Moab for some time,

WEBBE The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET (Now the man’s name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) They entered the region of Moab and settled there.

LSV And the name of the man [is] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephraimites from Beth-Lehem-Judah; and they come into the fields of Moab, and are there.

FBV His name was Elimelech, and his wife's name Naomi. His sons were called Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites[fn] from Bethlehem in Judah. They went to the country of Moab and lived there.

1:2 Ephrathah is thought to be an older name for this particular Bethlehem, or a way of specifically identifying it. The two names occur together in Micah 5:2.

T4T Because of the famine, they left Bethlehem and went east to live for a while in Moab region.

LEB And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephraimites from Bethlehem in Judah. And they went to the countryside of Moab and remained there.

BBE 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 were there for some time.

Moff No Moff RUTH book available

JPS 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 in Judah. And they came into the field of Moab, and continued there.

ASV 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.

DRA He was named Elimelech, and his wife, Noemi: and his two sons, the one Mahalon, and the other Chelion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Juda. And entering into the country of Moab, they abode there.

YLT And the name of the man [is] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites from Beth-Lehem-Judah; and they come into the fields of Moab, and are there.

Drby 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 Bethlehem-Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

RV 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.

SLT And the name of the man Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the name of his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites from the house of bread of Judah. And they will come to the field of Moab and be there.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.[fn]

1.2 continued: Heb. were

KJB-1611 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the name of his two sonnes, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Iudah: and they came into the countrey of Moab, and [fn]continued there.
(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 Bethlehem Yudah: and they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.)

1:2 Hebr. were.

Bshps The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wyfe Naomi, and the names of his two sonnes were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephraites out of Bethlehem Iuda: And whe they came into the lande of Moab, they continued there.
(The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephraites out of Bethlehem Yuda: And when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there.)

Gnva And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi: and the names of his two sonnes, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem Iudah: and when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there.
(And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi: and the names of his two sons, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem Yudah: and when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there. )

Cvdl which man was called EliMelech, and his wife Naemi, & his two sonnes, the one Mahelon, and the other Chilion: these were Ephrates of Bethleem Iuda. And whan they came in to the londe of ye Moabites, they dwelt there.
(which man was called EliMelech, and his wife Naomi, and his two sons, the one Mahelon, and the other Chilion: these were Ephrates of Beth-lehem Yuda. And when they came in to the land of ye/you_all Moabites, they dwelt there.)

Wycl He was clepid Elymelech, and his wijf Noemy, and the twey sones, `the oon was clepid Maalon, and the tother Chelion, Effrateis of Bethleem of Juda; and thei entriden in to the cuntrey of Moab, and dwelliden there.
(He was called Elymelech, and his wife Noemy, and the twain/two_or_both sons, the one was called Maalon, and the other Chelion, Effrateis of Beth-lehem of Yuda; and they entered in to the country of Moab, and dwelled/dwelt there.)

Luth Der hieß Elimelech und sein Weib Naemi, und seine zween Söhne Mahlon und Chiljon, die waren Ephrather, von Bethlehem-Juda. Und da sie kamen ins Land der Moabiter, blieben sie daselbst.
(The was_called Elimelech and be woman Naemi, and his two sons Mahlon and Chilyon, the were Ephrather, from Bethlehem-Yuda. And there they/she/them came into_the country the/of_the Moabites, remained they/she/them there.)

ClVg Ipse vocabatur Elimelech, et uxor ejus Noëmi: et duo filii, alter Mahalon, et alter Chelion, Ephrathæi de Bethlehem Juda. Ingressique regionem Moabitidem, morabantur ibi.[fn]
(Exactly_that was_called Elimelech, and wife his Noëmi: and two children, the_other Mahalon, and the_other Chelion, Ephrathæi from/about Bethlehem Yuda. Ingressique country Moabitidem, they_were_staying there. )

1.2 Mahalon. Qui de fenestra vel a principio. Hic est chorus prophetarum per quos de fenestra primum fidei lumen in orbem processit: qui etiam veri luminis, id est Christi, primi prædicatores fuerunt. Chelion, consummatio. Hi sunt apostoli qui ænigmata prophetarum ad consummationem pleni intellectus perduxerunt. Hi merito Ephrathæi et de Bethlehem Juda orti sunt: qui cœlesti pane satiati per prædicationem Evangelii fructum prædicationis collegerunt. Ephrathæus enim frugifer, Bethlehem domus panis, Juda confessio interpretatur, unde: Vos date illis manum. Item, Euntes prædicate Evangelium regni Dei. Et alibi: Elegi vos de mundo ut eatis, et fructum faciatis Marc. 6, XVI; Joan. 16..

1.2 Mahalon. Who from/about window or from at_the_beginning. Here/This it_is chorus of_the_prophets through which from/about window first of_faith the_light in/into/on the_world proceeded: who/which also true luminis, that it_is Christi, first preachers they_were. Chelion, completion. They are apostles who/which riddles of_the_prophets to completion full understanding perduxerunt. They deservedly Ephrathæi and from/about Bethlehem Yuda orti are: who/which heavenly pane satiati through preaching of_the_Gospels fruit preaching collegerunt. Ephrathæus because frugifer, Bethlehem home bread/food, Yuda confession interprets, from_where/who: You(pl) date to_them hand. Item, Going preache the_Gospel of_the_kingdom of_God. And alibi: Elegi you(pl) from/about to_the_world as go, and fruit do_it Marc. 6, 15I; Yohan 16..

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–5: Elimelech and his family went to Moab, where he and his two sons died

A note on the spelling of Elimelech. Most versions, like the BSB spell the name as Elimelech. The NIV (2011) spells the name with a final k (Elimelek). The Notes will follow the spelling used by any quoted versions.

This section contains the first main event of the story. An Israelite named Elimelech moved to the neighboring country of Moab with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons because there was famine in Israel. Elimelech died in Moab. His two sons later married women from Moab, Ruth and Orpah. Both of the sons then also died.

This section has two paragraphs:

Paragraph 1:1–2 gives an introduction. Verse 1 gives the setting of the story and introduces the main characters in this event.

Paragraph 1:3–5 describes the event in detail. Verse 1:5b summarizes the section that refers to Naomi but does not use her name.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Naomi Loses Her Husband and Sons (NIV)

Naomi Widowed (ESV)

Elimelech and His Family Move to Moab (GNT)

The Move to Moab and Tragedy (GW)

It is important to translate this book in a way that indicates the story is true. Follow a natural way that storytellers in your language use to tell true events.

Paragraph 1:1–2

Verse 1:1 introduces the characters/participants in a general way that does not give their names. Verse 1:2 gives the name of each character. However, if this is not a natural way to introduce characters in your language, another option is to combine 1:1–2 and introduce the characters by name. For example:

^1–2Long ago, in the days before Israel had a king, there was a famine in the land. So a man named Elimelech, who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah, went with his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion to live for a while in the country of Moab. While they were living there… (GNT)

See 1:1–2 (combined/reordered) in the Display for another example.

1:2

(combined/reordered)

Before Israel was rule by kings, Elimelech from the tribe of Ephrath lived in the town of Bethlehem. His wife was named Naomi, and their two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. But when their crops failed, they moved to the country of Moab. And while they were there… (CEV)

This verse gives more details about the characters that were introduced in 1:1.

1:2a–b

The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi,

The man was called Elimelech, his wife was called Naomi,

1:2a

The man’s name was Elimelech: The name Elimelech means either “God is king” or “my God is king.” However, the meaning of the name is probably not important to the story.

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Elimelech. You can add a footnote to explain the meaning of the name if you think it will be helpful to your readers.

Here is a footnote example:

The name “Elimelech” literally means “My God [is] king.” (Modified from the NET)

1:2b

his wife’s name was Naomi: The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” In 1:20a, Naomi used a wordplay in which she contrasted the meaning of her name with the Hebrew word mara, which means “bitter.”

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Naomi. Also consider adding a footnote to explain the meaning of the name. The footnote may help your readers recognize the play on words in 1:20a.

Here is a footnote example:

The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” Her name is used as a wordplay in 1:20–21. She laments that she is no longer “pleasant” but “bitter” because of the loss of her husband and two sons. (Modified from the NET)

1:2c

and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion.

and the names of their two sons were Mahlon and Chilion.
and their two sons were called Mahlon and Chilion.

and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion: Scholars do not agree about the meaning of the names Mahlon and Chilion. They also do not know which son was older. It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate these names.

In some languages, it may be necessary to indicate which son was older. It is reasonable to assume that Mahlon was the older of the two sons, since his name is mentioned first.

1:2d

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah,

They were from the Ephrathite clan and they lived in Bethlehem in Judah.
Their clan name was Ephrath, from the town of Bethlehem in the land of Judah.

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah: This verse part gives more details about the family of Elimelech. They were members of a clan that lived in Bethlehem.In some verses the name Ephrath/Ephrathah refers to the town of Bethlehem, and the word “Ephrathite” refers to residents of the town Bethlehem. However, this verse has the words “Ephrathites from Bethlehem Judah.” Here it is redundant to refer to Elimelech’s family members as “residents of Bethlehem from Bethlehem.” It is preferable to understand the referent as “members of the clan of Ephrathites from Bethlehem.” See WBC (page 64), UBS (page 7), and ES (page 33). Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah. (NET)

who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah (GNT)

1:2e

and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.

They went to the land of Moab and settled there.
They traveled to the country of Moab and stayed there.

and they entered the land of Moab and settled there: The Hebrew verb that the BSB translates as settled means “remained” or “stayed.”

This clause repeats the information from 1:1d. It does not indicate that they went to Moab a second time. In some languages, the repetition may create confusion or be unnatural. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Reduce the repetition by using different words in 1:1d and 1:2e. For example:
^1d…went with his wife and two sons to live in Moabite territory
^2e…came to Moab and settled there (REB)
Leave 1:2e implied. For example:
^1d…his wife and two sons, left to live for a while in the country of Moab
^2d-eThey were from the Ephrathite clan of Bethlehem in Judah.

Parallel RUTH 1:2