Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Lewis Reich" <lewreich AT javanet.com>]

On 1 Jul 00, at 9:55, Bill Ross wrote:  

> I have no idea, but I just want to mention the account of Naomi
> and her disloyal daughter, Orpah, and her loyal daughter, Ruth. A
> friend pointed out that they stood at the crossroads together.
> Orpah took one road, while Ruth took the road with her mother. It
> was "well with her" as the command promises concerning honoring
> parents. 

I wonder whether it can farily be said that the text implies that 
Orpah should be regarded as "disloyal".  Both Ruth and Orpah 
set out with Naomi on the road from Moab to return to Judaea.  
And Orpah, along with Ruth, disregarded Naomi's first request 
for them to stay in Moab (Ruth 1:8-10).  It was only after Naomi's 
longer second speech (11-13) that Orpah is persuaded to stay 
behind.  Ruth is certainly presented as exemplary in her 
steadfastness, but it does not seem to me that the story as 
presented is intended to denigrate Orpah.  

Lewis Reich