At the beginning of Ruth (1:1, 1:2, and many others), the place that Elimelech, Naomi and their sons settle in is referred to as שדה/שדי מואב, literally "field(s) of Moab". Why would this usage appear here as opposed to ארץ מואב, the land of Moav? Are they distinct geographical locations?
Some other sources to consider are below
Field of Moab:
- Genesis 36:35
- Numbers 21:20
- etc.
Land of Moab:
- Deuteronomy 1:5
- Deuteronomy 28:69
- Judges 11:15
- etc.