Ruth

How it is laid out

1. Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehemchapter 1
2. Ruth in the field of Boazchapters 2–3
3. Boaz, the kinsman-redeemerchapter 4

Key verses

• Ruth 1:16 — Your people is my people, and your Elohim is my Elohim
• Ruth 2:12 — Under whose wings you have come to take refuge
• Ruth 4:17 — Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David

Who wrote it

The book does not say who wrote it. Jewish tradition attributes it to Samuel (Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b). Authorship is debated.

When it was written

Debated. In David’s time or later, since it ends with his genealogy (4:17–22); the events take place in the days of the judges (1:1).

For whom, and in what situation

Israelites in the time of the kings. Deuteronomy 23:3 excluded Moabites from the assembly of YHWH, and the book tells them that a Moabite woman was King David’s great-grandmother.