Ruth 1:7

7 They started out together to go back to Judah, but on the way

Ruth 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ruth 1:7

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was
What part of Moab she had dwelt in, and now removed from, is not said; it is called the country or field of Moab, she returned from; hence some have thought, that she and her husband, and her sons, did not live in any of the cities of Moab, but in a field; either because the Moabites would not suffer them to dwell in their cities, only allowed them to pitch their tents in their fields; or they chose to dwell there, that they might as much as possible avoid conversation with them, and be preserved from their idolatry, and other corruptions:

and her two daughters in law with her;
who, out of respect to her, accompanied her some part of the way, as relations and friends usually did:

and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah;
they went along with her to the border of the land of Judah, in her return thither; for returning can only be said of her with any propriety, because her two daughters had never been there; that was not the country from whence they came, and therefore could not be said to return thither.

Ruth 1:7 In-Context

5 Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left all alone, without husband or sons.
6 Some time later Naomi heard that the Lord had blessed his people by giving them good crops; so she got ready to leave Moab with her daughters-in-law.
7 They started out together to go back to Judah, but on the way
8 she said to them, "Go back home and stay with your mothers. May the Lord be as good to you as you have been to me and to those who have died.
9 And may the Lord make it possible for each of you to marry again and have a home." So Naomi kissed them good-bye. But they started crying
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.