Ruth’s Route from Moab to Bethlehem
In the book of Ruth, Elimelech and his family travel from Bethlehem in Judah to the country of Moab (Ruth 1:1). The journey is retraced in reverse later on by Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:22). What route might have been taken, and what distances would have been involved?
Bethlehem is located in northern Judah, west of the Dead Sea. Moab is located on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, on a high plateau between the Arnon and Zered rivers. There are three routes that Bible geographers suggest might have been taken between these two places.
1. Northern Route
The northern route would have skirted around the north end of the Dead Sea, crossing the Jordan River in the vicinity of Jericho. The distance by this route would have been approximately 76 miles. Of the three routes, this one would have had the best roads and the best access to fresh water. This route may be found the ESV Bible Atlas, among others.
Satellite map of the northern route.
2. Central Route
The central route would have moved south from Bethlehem, across the Judean wilderness to En Gedi, on the western shore of the Dead Sea. From En Gedi it would have followed the shore of the Dead Sea south to the Lisan, the peninsula that projects out from the eastern side of the Dead Sea. If the water level of the Dead Sea was low enough, this would have been a dry route. However, even if there was water between the northern and southern basins of the Dead Sea, it would have been shallow and probably passable. This route would have been the shortest of the three, at about 62 miles. This route is the one suggested by BibleMapper.
Satellite map of the central route.
3. Southern Route
The southern route would have followed the same route down to En Gedi, but instead of cutting across at the Lisan, it would have swung further south, passing around the south end of the southern basin before turning north and traveling up the mountains onto the Moabite plateau. This route would have been the longest, at about 102 miles, and it also would have been the driest. This route is the one shown in the New Moody Bible Atlas.
Satellite map of the southern route.
