Ruth

Lore & Background

Ruth first appears as a Moabite woman married to Mahlon, son of Naomi and Elimelech, during their sojourn in Moab (Ruth 1:4). After the deaths of her husband and her brother-in-law, Naomi urges her two daughters-in-law to return to their own families. Orpah leaves, but Ruth clings to Naomi, uttering a famous pledge of loyalty: 'Intreat me not to leave thee... for whither thou goest, I will go... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God' (Ruth 1:14, Ruth 1:16). She accompanies Naomi to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest (Ruth 1:22). In Bethlehem, Ruth takes the initiative to glean in the fields to support herself and Naomi, asking permission to go and glean after him in whose sight she shall find grace (Ruth 2:2). She happens upon the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi, who instructs her to stay with his female workers for safety (Ruth 2:8). Naomi approves of this arrangement, advising Ruth to continue with Boaz's maidens (Ruth 2:22). At Naomi's direction, Ruth approaches Boaz at the threshing floor and asks him to spread his skirt over her, invoking his duty as a near kinsman (Ruth 3:9). Boaz later publicly purchases the right to marry Ruth from Naomi, explicitly stating he does so to raise up the name of the dead (Mahlon) upon his inheritance (Ruth 4:5, Ruth 4:10). The Lord grants Ruth conception, and she bears a son, Obed (Ruth 4:13). The Gospel of Matthew lists Ruth as the wife of Boaz and mother of Obed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Ruth as a woman of extraordinary loyalty and initiative. Her decision to stay with Naomi, despite being a Moabite widow with no apparent future in Israel, is presented as a personal, emotional choice—she 'clave unto her' (Ruth 1:14) and makes a solemn vow to adopt Naomi's people and God (Ruth 1:16). This loyalty is not passive; Ruth actively seeks work by gleaning (Ruth 2:2) and later takes the bold step of proposing marriage to Boaz (Ruth 3:9). The narrative emphasizes her foreign status—she is repeatedly called 'Ruth the Moabitess' (Ruth 1:22, Ruth 2:2, Ruth 2:21, Ruth 4:5, Ruth 4:10)—yet she is fully integrated into the community through her marriage to Boaz, a 'near kinsman' (Ruth 3:9). Her role is instrumental in preserving the family line of her deceased husband, as Boaz marries her specifically 'to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance' (Ruth 4:10). The passages show her as a recipient of divine favor, as 'the LORD gave her conception' (Ruth 4:13), and her inclusion in Matthew's genealogy (Matthew 1:5) underscores her significance in the lineage leading to Jesus.

Did You Know?

• Ruth was originally married to Mahlon, an Israelite, and lived in Moab for about ten years (Ruth 1:4).
• She made a famous vow to Naomi: 'thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God' (Ruth 1:16).
• Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, who instructed her to stay with his maidens for safety (Ruth 2:8).
• She is listed in the genealogy of Jesus as the wife of Boaz and mother of Obed (Matthew 1:5).