That is what is written [concerning Moav]: “I know its fury, the utterance of the Lord, and its lies [badav] are unfounded [lo khen]” (Jeremiah 48:30). Rabbi Huna bar Pappa and Rabbi Simon, Rabbi Huna said: At the beginning of Moav’s conception, it was not for the sake of licentiousness, but rather, for the sake of Heaven.29Lot’s daughters acted out of noble motives, as they thought there was no other way to repopulate the world (see section 8).
Thus it is stated: His offshoots [badav] are not like that [lo khen]. They [Moav’s descendants] did not act for the sake of Heaven, but for the sake of licentiousness, as it is stated: “Israel was residing in Shitim, and the people began to engage in licentiousness [with the daughters of Moav]” (Numbers 25:1).30Those Moavites, unlike their forebear, Lot’s daughter, acted out of immoral motivations.
Rabbi Simon said: From the beginning of Moav’s conception it was not for the sake of Heaven, but rather, for the sake of licentiousness, as it is stated: “Its fury [evrato]31The Midrash interprets evrato to be related to ibur, conception.…its lies [badav] are unfounded [lo khen]”– his offshoots [badav]32Badav can mean either lies or offshoots. did not act this way [lo khen] – [they did not act] for the sake of licentiousness, but for the sake of Heaven, as it is stated: “She33Ruth the Moavite. went down to the threshing floor, and acted in accordance with everything that her mother-in-law had commanded her” (Ruth 3:6).34By lying down next to Boaz as he slept.
Rabbi Levi said: If Moav’s beginning was for the sake of licentiousness, his later act was also for the sake of licentiousness, [and the verse is to be interpreted:] Did his offshoots [badav] not do so as well [lo khen]? “Israel was residing in Shitim…” And if the beginning of his conception was for the sake of Heaven, his end was also for the sake of Heaven, [and the verse is to be interpreted:] Did his offshoots [badav] not do so as well [lo khen]? “She went down to the threshing floor.”