Ruth in the Bible

A Moabite widow who chose Naomi’s people and God

Ruth’s commitment begins before she meets Boaz. After her husband dies, Naomi urges both daughters-in-law to return to their mothers’ homes. Both initially want to go with her, and Naomi acknowledges their kindness. Orpah eventually kisses Naomi goodbye; Ruth insists on staying and promises to share Naomi’s people, God, home, and burial place. Ruth’s familiar words in chapter 1 are spoken to a mother-in-law, not to a romantic partner.

In Bethlehem, Ruth calls herself a foreigner and asks why Boaz has shown her favor. He says he has already heard what she has done for Naomi and how she has left her parents and homeland. The account continues to identify her as a Moabite while describing her welcome into Bethlehem’s community.

Ruth 1:8–18; 2:10–12 · Explore belonging and loyal love across the four chapters of Ruth →

Ruth acts for herself and for Naomi

Ruth asks to go gleaning—gathering grain left by the harvesters—and brings grain and leftover food home to Naomi. Leviticus 19:9–10 and Deuteronomy 24:19 provide for poor people, foreigners, and widows through the harvest. Boaz also offers Ruth water and a meal, orders the young men not to touch her, and tells the workers to leave extra grain for her.

Later, Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions and asks Boaz to spread the corner of his garment over her because he is a near kinsman. Boaz is a relative of Naomi’s late husband Elimelech, not Mahlon’s brother. He is willing to act, but another relative has priority. In chapter 4, redeeming the property and marrying Ruth are joined in a transaction intended to preserve Mahlon’s name on his inheritance. This is related to family-preservation laws, but it is not the same situation as a surviving brother’s duty in Deuteronomy 25:5–10.

Ruth 4 identifies Mahlon as her first husband and Obed as her son by Boaz. Obed becomes Jesse’s father and David’s grandfather, making Ruth David’s great-grandmother. When the neighbors speak of a son born to Naomi, Ruth remains the child’s mother; Naomi takes him into her care.

Ruth 2:1–18; 3:9–13; 4:9–17; Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19; 25:5–10 · Follow Ruth and Boaz from the harvest field to the city gate →

The name Ruth

What does the name Ruth mean?

The Book of Ruth does not explain her name. Strong’s Hebrew entry 7327 gives “friend” as a probable derivation, while Brown–Driver–Briggs connects it with “friendship.” These are lexical explanations, not a meaning supplied by the biblical narrator; the derivation is not certain.

Compare Strong’s and Brown–Driver–Briggs: Ruth, Hebrew 7327