About Ruth
Loyal love (hesed) is the heartbeat of covenant community - and God works through ordinary acts of faithfulness to accomplish his extraordinary purposes.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay."
Ruth 1:16
Written
circa 1050-950 BC
Author
Unknown
Genre
Narrative / Short Story
Position
8th of 66 books - Historical Books
Authorship
Author unknown; Jewish tradition suggests Samuel. The book's elegant Hebrew prose and careful structure suggest a skilled literary artist. The story is set during the Judges period but written from a later, reflective vantage point.
Historical Context
Set during the period of the judges - a dark era of faithlessness in Israel. Ruth provides a bright counterpoint: a story of loyalty, kindness (hesed), and faithful covenant living in an ordinary family.
Purpose
To demonstrate God's providential care through ordinary acts of loyalty and kindness, to show that Gentiles can be included in God's covenant people through faith, and to trace the genealogy leading to David and ultimately Christ.
Key Message
Loyal love (hesed) is the heartbeat of covenant community - and God works through ordinary acts of faithfulness to accomplish his extraordinary purposes.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
Ruth's declaration of loyalty to Naomi (1:16-17) is one of the most beautiful expressions of devotion in all of literature.
Ruth was a Moabite - a people forbidden in the assembly of Israel for ten generations (Deut 23:3). Her inclusion is a striking act of grace.
Boaz as kinsman-redeemer (go'el) is one of the clearest OT types of Christ's redemptive role.
The book of Ruth is one of only two biblical books named after a woman (the other is Esther).
Ruth appears in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5 - a Gentile woman in the messianic line.