Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5070 Individuals in OT and NT  »  5117 Ruth

A young Moabite widow, who, because of her selfless devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi, and to Naomi's God, gained a husband and a child, a place in Jewish history and became the great-grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.

Ruth faces the problems of widowhood

Ruth 1:3-5 See also Ruth 1:6-13

Ruth commits herself to Naomi

Ruth 1:16-17 See also Ruth 1:18,22; Ruth 2:11

Ruth and Boaz

Boaz allows Ruth to glean in his fields

Ruth 2:8-9 See also Ruth 2:14-23

Ruth asks Boaz to be her “kinsman-redeemer”

Ruth 3:9 The kinsman-redeemer was the closest male relative who had responsibility to marry a widow within the family and thereby protect the interests of needy members of the extended family.

Boaz negotiates with a nearer relative of Ruth's

See also Ruth 4:1-8

Boaz marries Ruth

Ruth 4:9-10 See also Ruth 4:11-13

She has a son who is presented to Naomi

Ruth 4:13 See also Ruth 4:17

Ruth is included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:5-6

See also

2540  Christ, genealogy
5086  David, rise of
5720  mothers, examples
5743  widows
7388  kinsman-redeemer