Ruth, Book of, is a book of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament. The story centers on the loving and loyal behavior of Ruth, a Moabite woman married to an Israelite. Left widowed and childless in Moab, Ruth resolves to leave her homeland and follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem. When Naomi urges her to stay among her people, Ruth responds with the words “Where you go, I will go; … your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die—there will I be buried” (Ruth 1:16-17). Continuing her bold actions, Ruth manages to obtain food for herself and Naomi and to marry Boaz, a kinsman, and thus secure the family heritage.
The story of Ruth is a beautifully crafted piece of literature. It conveys the resources of individuals in dealing with life’s problems. It shows Israelite openness to all peoples and offers a glimpse of the independent and courageous actions of women in ancient Israel. Since Ruth is portrayed as the great-grandmother of King David, the book links her to the genealogy of Israel’s royal family.
