As Naomi sets out to go back to her homeland, her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah set out with her. They are native Moabites, and it is unlikely that they have ever been to Israel. However, several times, the account points out they are "returning" to Israel.
Ruth 1:7 Wherefore 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 unto the land of Judah. [KJV]
Ruth 1:10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. [KJV]
Ultimately, Orpah turns back to her ancestral household in Moab, but Ruth continues on with Naomi.
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
The Hebrew word here is shub. Is there a greater meaning in the word than simply moving from one geographic place to another (at least in this context)?