‘ And she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.'
The three of them left the place where they had been residing, and took the road to the land of Judah. For the description ‘the land of Judah' compare Deuteronomy 34:2; 1Sa 22:5; 1 Samuel 30:16. ‘They went on the way.' The two young widows probably assumed that they would be going with Naomi, but it is clear from what follows that this was not Naomi's intention. She wanted their company thus far until the time came for a leave-taking, but her intention was that the two young widows should remain in Moab and return to their family homes.