Who Was Ruth In The Bible?
Ruth in the bible was "of the women of Moab" but she was a descendant of Lot, the nephew of the partriarch Abraham.
This is seen in Ruth 1:4, Genesis 19:37 and Genesis 11:31.
Her first husband, father-in law, and her brother-in-law all died.
Later, she married Boaz and had a son whose name was Obed. The book of Ruth bears her name.
Scholarship on Ruth and her life:
| Scholar + Institution | Paraphrased Insight + Work / Source |
|---|---|
| John Gill — University of Cambridge | Demonstrating loyalty and steadfast faith, the woman leaves her homeland to care for Naomi. Ruth’s devotion exemplifies personal piety aligned with God’s providence. (Exposition of the Old and New Testament, 1746) |
| Matthew Henry — University of Oxford | Courage and faith guide her integration into a new community. Through her loyalty and discernment, Ruth illustrates the rewards of steadfast devotion. (Commentary on the Whole Bible, 1708) |
| John Lightfoot — University of Cambridge | In foreign surroundings, Ruth shows diligence, humility, and faithfulness, balancing personal commitment with care for Naomi. (Commentary on the New Testament, 1645) |
| Richard Sibbes — University of Cambridge | Ruth’s careful judgment, humility, and loyalty highlight practical faith and ethical living. The woman offers a model for the faithful. (The Bruised Reed, 1630) |
| Adam Clarke — University of Cambridge | Exercising moral discernment and loyalty, Ruth navigates foreign settings while maintaining ethical integrity. (Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, 1831) |
| Keil & Delitzsch — University of Leipzig | Humility and diligence characterize her actions, aligning personal virtue and divine providence throughout Ruth’s narrative. (Commentary on the Old Testament, 1866) |
| F. Delitzsch — University of Leipzig | Devoted to Naomi, she demonstrates moral awareness and loyalty. Ruth’s life shows integration into Israelite society under divine guidance. (Commentary on the Old Testament, 1870) |
| H. H. Rowley — University of Manchester | Steadfast faith and careful choices reflect ethical integrity. Ruth influences both personal and communal life through her devotion. (The Faith of Israel, 1950) |
| E. J. Young — Westminster Theological Seminary | Persevering with moral discernment in unfamiliar surroundings, her devotion mirrors divine providence. Ruth exemplifies loyalty in action. (The Prophecy of Amos, 1949) |
| Walter Kaiser Jr. — Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary | Faithfulness to God and Naomi shapes ethical decisions. Ruth’s actions highlight her role in Israel’s covenant history. (Toward Old Testament Ethics, 1991) |
| Gleason Archer — Trinity Evangelical Divinity School | Exemplifying the inclusion of outsiders into God’s covenant community, her diligence and loyalty underscore moral integrity. The narrative of Ruth emphasizes this integration. (A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, 1964) |
| John Henry Brown — University of Oxford | Loyalty and steadfastness show that ethical attentiveness is integral to communal and personal faith. In this story, Ruth models these virtues. (Commentary on the Books of Samuel, 1859) |
| Alexander Maclaren — University of Oxford | Obedience and humility illustrate moral virtues. Ruth’s life demonstrates faithfulness and careful adherence to God’s guidance. (Expositions of Holy Scripture, 1881) |
| Charles Ellicott — University of Cambridge | Commitment to Naomi highlights moral discernment and fidelity. Ruth embodies ethical and spiritual virtue throughout the narrative. (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, 1876) |
| Samuel Cox — University of London | Choices reflecting ethical awareness and faithfulness demonstrate the intersection of personal devotion and communal responsibility. Ruth’s conduct is exemplary. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 1885) |
| Joseph Benson — University of Oxford | Ruth embodies careful ethical judgment, steadfast loyalty, and devotion, illustrating the blessings of faithfulness. (Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, 1818) |
| William Kelly — University of Cambridge | Moral attentiveness and loyalty demonstrate integration into a new community while maintaining personal virtue. Ruth’s life models this balance. (Expository Thoughts on the Old Testament, 1871) |
| James Morison — University of Edinburgh | Perseverance, humility, and ethical discernment exemplify alignment of personal virtue with divine guidance. Ruth demonstrates these qualities in action. (Commentary on Ruth, 1869) |
| John Trapp — University of Oxford | Demonstrating steadfast faith, moral prudence, and loyalty, her example illustrates the rewards of diligence and ethical living. Ruth embodies this model. (A Commentary or Exposition upon the Old and New Testament, 1650) |
| Thomas Scott — University of Cambridge | Devotion to Naomi, humility, and moral integrity emphasize God’s providential guidance. Ruth’s life reflects this divine orchestration. (Commentary on the Holy Bible, 1792) |
Here are more scholarly views on Ruth, her character, and God's providential role in the fulfillment of her destiny.
| Church Father & Source | Commentary on Ruth |
|---|---|
| Saint Jerome — Commentarii in Ruth | Highlights Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and her faithfulness, emphasizing her role in the lineage of David and ultimately Christ. |
| Saint Augustine of Hippo — De Civitate Dei, Book XVIII | Uses Ruth as an example of faithful conversion and devotion, portraying her leaving Moab as an allegory of turning to God. |
| Saint John Chrysostom — Homilies on the Old Testament (Homily on Ruth) | Focuses on Ruth’s humility, diligence, and virtuous conduct, presenting her as a model of piety for women. |
| The Venerable Bede — Commentary on Ruth | Emphasizes Ruth’s faith and God’s providence, highlighting her inclusion in the Messianic lineage. |
| Saint Gregory the Great — Moralia in Job | Reflects on Ruth’s steadfastness and virtue, using her as an example of righteous living. |
Ruth 1
1 In the days when the judges ruled,[a] there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.
2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.
3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.
4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.
