Names of the Book
| English: | Ruth |
| Hebrew: | רוּת |
| Transliterated: | Rut |
| Other names: |
Who
| Wrote the book: | unknown (possibly Samuel) |
| Are the key people: | Ruth, Naomi, Boaz |
| Is it written to: | The people of Israel |
What
| Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi (Ruth 1:1-2) |
| Ruth's humility before Boaz (Ruth 2:1-23) |
| Ruth's obedience to Naomi (Ruth 3:1-18) |
| Ruth's redemption by Boaz (Ruth 4:1-22) |
When
| Was it written: | c 1375-1050 BCE |
| Did the events occur: | c 1310-1210 BCE |
| Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
| (see the Timeline of the Tanakh) | |
Where
| Was it written: | unknown place in Israel |
| Did the events occur: | Moab, Israel, Bethlehem |
Why
| Ruth was written to inform us that: |
| G-d desires faithfulness |
| G-d desires kindness |
| G-d desires integrity |
| G-d provides protection |
| G-d provides prosperity and blessing |
Introduction
The book of Ruth is a historical narrative about a young woman from the nation of Moab who marries an Israelite and is widowed at a young age. Ruth, out of love for her Israelite mother-in-law, abandons her own culture and declares, "Your people shall be my people, and your G-d my G-d" (Ruth 1:16). Though she was impoverished and had to rely upon the benevolence of others, Ruth's character and demeanor brings her to the attention of Boaz, a close relative of her deceased husband. Boaz fulfills the role of kinsman-redeemer, takes Ruth as his wife, and she gives birth to Obed, the grandfather of King David. This book serves as a beautiful illustration of G-d's providential care of Israel and of His willingness to bring Gentiles out of their nations and into His own.
Scripture- Book Selection
| Chapter | Description |
| 1 | Four Israelites, Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons, move to Moab to escape a famine in the land of Israel. Their sons marry Moabite women: Orpah and Ruth. Elimelech and the sons die. Naomi returns to the land of Israel and Ruth chooses to go with her. Orpah stays with her family in Moab. |
| 2 | Ruth gleans barley from Boaz's field until the end of the harvest. Boaz is Naomi's kinsman and he shows kindness to Ruth. |
| 3 | Ruth visits Boaz during the night and lies at his feet until morning. Boaz accepts Ruth and gives her extra barley. Ruth returns home. |
| 4 | The kinsman closer than Boaz does not redeem Naomi's land. Boaz redeems the land and takes Ruth as his wife. Ruth gives birth to Obed the grandfather of King David. |