Map and timeline
Where the story moves, and where it sits in Israel’s history.
The journey
- One likely route (the text doesn't say)
- Moab: darker shading where more sources agree on its extent
Ruth never names the road. This follows a commonly suggested route: down to the Jordan fords near Jericho, then along the Moabite plateau.
Coordinates and outlines: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data, CC BY 4.0; Jordan River © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0.
Bethlehem in famine
A famine strikes the town whose name means "house of bread." Elimelech takes Naomi and their two sons east to look for food.
Read Chapter 1Places in the story
- BethlehemHigh confidence
Named in 7 verses: Ruth 1:1, Ruth 1:2, Ruth 1:19, Ruth 1:22, …
31.704° N, 35.208° E
- EphrathahHigh confidence
Today: Bethlehem. Named in 1 verse: Ruth 4:11
31.704° N, 35.208° E
- MoabHigh confidence
A region. Named in 7 verses: Ruth 1:1, Ruth 1:2, Ruth 1:4, Ruth 1:6, …
31.181° N, 35.701° E
- Dead SeaHigh confidence
Shown for orientation; not named in Ruth.
31.500° N, 35.500° E
- Jordan RiverHigh confidence
Shown for orientation; not named in Ruth.
31.761° N, 35.558° E
- JerusalemHigh confidence
Shown for orientation; not named in Ruth.
31.777° N, 35.234° E
- Tell es SultanHigh confidence
Shown for orientation; not named in Ruth.
31.872° N, 35.445° E
Locations and confidence: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data, CC BY 4.0. About our sources
Some outlines © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0.