Judges · around 1100 BC
Ruth in the Bible
The faithful Moabite, ancestor of David. Name meaning: “Friend,” “companion” (probable meaning)
Ruth is a Moabite, the widow of an Israelite, who chooses to follow her mother-in-law Naomi and the God of Israel rather than return to her own people and gods. Through her faithfulness and the kindness of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, she becomes the great-grandmother of King David. Her name appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, a sign that God’s grace welcomes the foreigner who comes to take refuge under his wings.
Key moments
- Ruth clings to Naomi Ruth 1:14
- “Thy God my God” Ruth 1:16
- She gleans in Boaz’s field Ruth 2:3
- Boaz blesses her under the wings of the LORD Ruth 2:12
- “Spread thy wing over thy servant” Ruth 3:9
- Boaz acquires her as his wife before the elders Ruth 4:10
- Birth of Obed, grandfather of David Ruth 4:17
Strengths
- Loyalty
- Faith
- Humility
- Hard work
- Virtue
Weaknesses
The Bible records no fault of Ruth. Her vulnerability lies in her situation: a widow, poor and a foreigner, she depends entirely on the kindness of others and on God’s providence (Ruth 2:10).
Lessons for today
- Choosing the living God may cost a country and a family, but it opens a future that only God can write (Ruth 1:16).
- Faithfulness in ordinary tasks, like gleaning, is noticed by God and by people (Ruth 2:11-12).
- God directs even what seems to happen “by chance”: his providence works in the details (Ruth 2:3).
- Boaz prefigures Christ, our Redeemer, who paid the price to redeem us and welcome us (Ruth 4:10; Gal 4:4-5).
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
People around Ruth
- Naomi — The mother-in-law she refuses to leave
- Boaz — Second husband, the kinsman who exercises the right of redemption
- Mahlon — First husband, who died in Moab
- Orpah — Sister-in-law, who went back to her people
- Obed — Son, father of Jesse
- David — Great-grandson
Stories with Ruth
Quiz: how well do you know Ruth?
Which country was Ruth from?
Naomi’s sons “took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.” Ruth 1:4
What was the name of Ruth’s mother-in-law?
Elimelech’s wife was Naomi; their sons married Orpah and Ruth, who thus became her daughters-in-law. Ruth 1:2–4
Whose field did Ruth go to glean in?
“Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.