Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Naomi doesn't just hear that the famine has ended; she hears that the "LORD had visited His people," a phrase suggesting God actively turned His attention toward them with care. This isn't just about good harvest luck; it's about God showing up for His chosen people, which ignites her longing to return to their land and their God.
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Naomi, having lost her husband and both her sons in the foreign land of Moab, decides it's time to return home to Judah. She heard that the famine had ended in Israel and that the Lord had provided food for His people. She then arose with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to begin the journey back.
When life feels like a barren desert, where do you look for hope? Naomi heard news that turned her grief into a plan.
The Stirring of Hope
Naomi had been living in Moab for a decade, a time marked by deep loss – the death of her husband and both sons. Her world was shaped by famine and sorrow. But then, news reached her: the famine in her homeland, Israel, had ended.
This wasn't just a weather report; it was a sign of God's active care. The Hebrew word used for 'visited' ('paqad') signifies more than just noticing; it implies God's attentive, purposeful action. He 'looked upon' His people and intervened by providing.
This good news rekindled hope in Naomi's heart, stirring her to leave the place of her suffering and return to the land where God's people thrived.
What makes a place 'home'? For Naomi, it was more than just where her family lived; it was where God's presence was felt.
More Than Just Bread
Naomi's decision to return wasn't solely about escaping the famine. The commentary suggests she was eager to be in a place where she could 'better opportunities of serving the Lord.' Moab was a land of idolatry, a stark contrast to the worship of Yahweh.
Her loss in Moab – husband, sons – likely amplified her desire to return to the land associated with the one true God. The famine ending was the trigger, but the deeper motivation was a yearning for spiritual belonging and the freedom to worship God without the taint of foreign gods.
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Counting the Cost
Naomi 'arose with her daughters-in-law to return.' This shows an initial shared intention to leave Moab. However, the later narrative reveals that this journey wasn't going to be easy for everyone involved.
Naomi, having experienced hardship and now hearing of God's provision, felt a strong pull to return to her homeland. This decision forced her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to confront their own loyalties and futures. They had to 'count the cost' of following Naomi, not just geographically, but spiritually.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
Used in the Old Testament to refer to the sovereign Creator and Covenant God of Israel, who reveals Himself to His people and fulfills His promises. It signifies His presence, authority, and faithfulness to the covenant.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
A term frequently used to describe God’s gracious intervention in the affairs of His people, whether for blessing or judgment. In this context, it implies a turning of God's attention toward His people to provide relief and sustenance.
The backdrop of a devastating famine and its subsequent end highlights God's faithfulness to His people, providing the impetus for Naomi's return and setting the stage for Ruth's extraordinary commitment.
c. 11th century BC
Famine in Judah
A severe famine gripped the land of Judah, forcing Naomi's husband, Elimelech, to emigrate with his family to Moab. This famine likely lasted for an extended period, possibly around ten years.
c. 11th century BC
Death of Elimelech and sons
While living in Moab, Naomi's husband Elimelech dies. Her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, who had married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah, also die, leaving Naomi widowed and childless.
c. 11th century BC— this verse
Naomi hears of famine's end
News reaches Naomi in Moab that the famine in Judah has ended and the LORD has provided abundant food for His people. This prompts her to consider returning to her homeland.
c. 11th century BC
Naomi's return journey begins
Naomi, accompanied by her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah, sets out from Moab to return to Bethlehem in Judah. This marks the beginning of their significant journey.
This passage uses the same concept of God 'visiting' His people, highlighting His active attention and care in response to their suffering.
Luke 1:68This New Testament passage echoes the Old Testament theme of God visiting His people, this time in fulfillment of promises through the Messiah, showing a consistent pattern of divine faithfulness.
Genesis 50:24Joseph expresses his faith that God will 'visit' his people and bring them out of Egypt, demonstrating the hope that God's intervention is the solution to their distress, mirroring Naomi's hope.
Psalm 106:4This psalm is a prayer asking God to 'visit' His people with His favor, directly linking the act of visiting with experiencing His goodness and salvation.
henryRuth 1:6-14: "Then 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 the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread."
1:6-14 Naomi began to think of returning, after the death of her two sons. When death comes into a family, it ought to reform what is amiss there. Earth is made bitter to us, that heaven may be made dear. Naomi seems to have been a person of faith and piety. She dismissed her daughters-in-…
clarkeRuth 1:6: "Then 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 the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread."
She had heard - By the mouth of an angel, says the Targum. The Lord had visited his people - "Because of the righteousness of Ibzan the judge, and because of the supplications of pious Boaz." - Targum. It is imagined, and not without probability, that Mahlon and Chilion are the same with Joas…
Naomi doesn't just hear that the famine has ended; she hears that the "LORD had visited His people," a phrase suggesting God actively turned His attention toward them with care. This isn't just about good harvest luck; it's about God showing up for His chosen people, which ignites her longing to return to their land and their God.
Naomi, having lost her husband and both her sons in the foreign land of Moab, decides it's time to return home to Judah. She heard that the famine had ended in Israel and that the Lord had provided food for His people. She then arose with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to begin the journey back.
Naomi, having lost her husband and both her sons in the foreign land of Moab, decides it's time to return home to Judah. She heard that the famine had ended in Israel and that the Lord had provided food for His people. She then arose with her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to begin the journey back.
"Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had visited his people and given them food." — Naomi doesn't just hear that the famine has ended; she hears that the "LORD had visited His people," a phrase suggesting God actively turned His attention toward them with care. This isn't just about…
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Last reviewed October 2026