This final verse of chapter 1 constitutes a summary paragraph. It adds no new information except to introduce “the barley harvest,” and this serves as a kind of translation to what Ruth is described as doing in chapter 2.

The verbal construction in Hebrew makes it quite clear that verse 22 is to be taken simply as a conclusion. For the use of the wayyiqtol in this sense, see Joüon, par. 118. Accordingly, in the receptor language one can employ a similar device to mark a concluding statement; for example, “This is how it happened,” “This then was how,” “As a result,” or even “So.” The occurrence of the term Moabite is redundant; that is to say, the same information has been given earlier. However, the repetition may be for emphasis, and thus many translators may wish to retain the attributive, not only here, but also in 2.2, 21; 4.5, 10.

In many languages there is no precise equivalent for barley. In such cases it is useful to employ a general word for grain. When such a general term does not exist, one can sometimes employ a phrase which suggests similarity to grains which are known in the region; for example, “millet-like grain” or “rice-like grain.”

Likewise, there may be no specific term for harvest, but this can be described as “the time when the barley grain was cut” or “the season when the barley grain was brought to the barn.”

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Ruth. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .