Book 8 of 66 · Old Testament
Ruth
A Moabite widow's loyalty to her mother-in-law leads her into the family line of King David.
4 chapters85 versesWritten in HebrewSet Bethlehem and Moab, in the time of the judges
Overview
Ruth is a short, quiet story set in the violent time of the judges. A widow named Naomi returns to Bethlehem with her loyal Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth, who gleans in the field of a relative named Boaz. Boaz marries Ruth and redeems the family — and their son becomes the grandfather of King David. It is a story of loyalty and kindness that reaches beyond Israel.
Book facts
- Author
- Unknown; traditionally SamuelThe book names no writer; Jewish tradition credits the prophet Samuel.
- Date written
- c. 1000–900 BCSet "in the days when the judges ruled"; the writing is usually dated to the monarchy.
- Original language
- HebrewA short, finely told Hebrew narrative.
- Setting
- Bethlehem and Moab, in the time of the judgesA quiet family story set against the troubled era of the judges.
How it came to be
Ruth names no author. It is set "in the days when the judges ruled," but told with none of that era's violence.
Jewish tradition credits Samuel; the closing genealogy ties the story to King David.
What is arguedWhen it was written, and why. Some read it as an old family tale; others as a later story about loyalty and the welcome of outsiders.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What happens | Who is in it | Where it takes place |
|---|---|---|---|
Loyalty and redemption — from loss in Moab to a place in David's line, chapters 1–4 | |||
| Chapter 1Naomi and Ruth | Naomi, widowed and bereaved in Moab, returns to Bethlehem; her daughter-in-law Ruth insists on coming with her. | , , | , |
| Chapter 2The gleaning | Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz, a relative of the family, who shows her kindness. | , , | |
| Chapter 3The threshing floor | On Naomi's advice, Ruth asks Boaz to act as the family's redeemer. | , , | |
| Chapter 4The kinsman redeemer | Boaz redeems the family and marries Ruth; their son Obed becomes grandfather to King David. | , , , | |
All 4 chapters. Start reading →