At a Glance
Ruth at a Glance
- Author. Not named. Jewish tradition says Samuel. Whoever wrote it knew David's family line, since the book ends with it (Ruth 4:17–22).
- Date. The story is set in the days when the judges ruled (Ruth 1:1) and covers about eleven or twelve years: about ten in Moab (Ruth 1:4), then a harvest season in Boaz's fields and a year or so in Bethlehem. It was probably written about 1000 BC, in David's time. It names David but not Solomon.
- Written To. Israel, to show that God's faithful love reached into the dark days of the judges and led to David, and that a foreigner who trusts the LORD is welcome.
- Setting. Moab, east of the Dead Sea, then Bethlehem in Judah. The story begins at the barley harvest (Ruth 1:22).
- Key Verse. Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel (Ruth 4:14).
- Key Word or Theme. Redemption, and the faithful, covenant-keeping love the Hebrew calls hesed.
Loading the rest of this article
Further reading
For Deeper Study
- Be CommittedAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA warm study of Ruth (with Esther) that stays close to the story and draws out its application to daily faith.
- Ruth: The Romance of RedemptionAmazon J. Vernon McGeeA classic, plain-spoken exposition of Ruth, strong on the redemption picture, by a longtime Bible teacher.
- A Commentary on Judges and RuthAmazon Robert B. Chisholm Jr.A careful evangelical commentary (Kregel, 2013) by a Dallas Seminary professor. More detailed than the others, for readers who want the Hebrew background.
- Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.
As an Amazon Associate, Theologica earns from qualifying purchases.
Continue exploring
Judges
Judges tells how Israel, after Joshua, fell again and again into idolatry and oppression, and how the LORD kept raising up deliverers until the nation cried out for a king.
Open Doctrine