Ruth is book 8 of the 39 books of the Old Testament and belongs to the History section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- Old Testament · History
- Genre
- Historical narrative (short story)
- Author (traditional)
- Samuel, according to Jewish tradition (the Talmud).
- Other views on authorship
- The author is unknown. Proposed dates range from the early monarchy to after the exile.
- Date (traditional)
- Written in the early monarchy, about 1000 BC; the events are set around the 12th or 11th century BC.
- Other views on dating
- Estimates range from the 10th century BC to the 5th century BC.
- Chapters
- 4
- Verses
- 85
- Reading time
- About 12 minutes (2,373 words in the BSB)
What is Ruth about?
The book opens with famine in Bethlehem, ironically the 'house of bread.' Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons to Moab, where the sons marry Moabite women. Then all three men die. Naomi decides to go home, bitter and empty. Orpah returns to her family, but Ruth refuses to leave: 'Wherever you go, I will go… your God will be my God.'
In Bethlehem, Ruth gleans barley in the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi's husband. Boaz notices her loyalty, protects her and provides extra grain. Naomi sees God's hand at work and sends Ruth to the threshing floor at night to ask Boaz to act as kinsman-redeemer — the relative responsible for protecting a family's land and name.
Boaz is willing but must first give a closer relative the chance. At the town gate, that man declines, and Boaz redeems the property and marries Ruth. They have a son, Obed, and the women of Bethlehem celebrate that Naomi is no longer empty. The book ends with a short genealogy: Obed is the father of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of David.
Outline of Ruth
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Loss and loyalty Naomi loses her husband and sons; Ruth refuses to leave her and they return to Bethlehem. |
| 2 | Gleaning in Boaz's field Ruth meets Boaz, who treats her with generosity and protection. |
| 3 | At the threshing floor Ruth asks Boaz to act as her redeemer, and he agrees to do so properly. |
| 4 | Redemption and a new family Boaz marries Ruth at the town gate; Obed is born, the grandfather of David. |
Key themes
- Loyal love (hesed). The Hebrew word hesed — steadfast, covenant kindness — runs through the book. Ruth shows it to Naomi, Boaz to Ruth, and behind them both is God's own faithfulness.
- Redemption. Boaz as kinsman-redeemer buys back what was lost and restores a family. Christians see him as a picture of Christ, who redeems at his own cost.
- From empty to full. Naomi returns 'empty' and ends holding a grandson. The book traces how God quietly turns loss into blessing.
- Outsiders welcomed. Ruth is a Moabite, from a people often at odds with Israel, yet she becomes an ancestor of David and of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
- Providence in ordinary life. There are no miracles in Ruth. God works through a harvest, a chance meeting and people choosing kindness.
Key people and places
- Ruth — Moabite widow known for her loyalty; great-grandmother of David.
- Naomi — Ruth's mother-in-law, who returns to Bethlehem in grief.
- Boaz — Wealthy relative who becomes Ruth's kinsman-redeemer.
- Orpah — Naomi's other daughter-in-law, who returns to Moab.
- Obed — Son of Ruth and Boaz, grandfather of David.
Places: Bethlehem, Moab.
Key verses in Ruth
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.””
“May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge.””
““Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.””
“The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
How Ruth fits the big story
Ruth is set in the dark days of Judges, yet it shows ordinary people living faithfully. Its ending links the time of the judges to the rise of David in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. Ruth is one of a handful of women named in Jesus' genealogy in Matthew, a reminder that God's plan for Israel was always meant to include the nations. In Jewish tradition, Ruth is read at Shavuot, the festival of the harvest and of the giving of the law. See more women of the Bible.
How to read Ruth
At 4 chapters a day you can read Ruth in 1 day — in one sitting. Read Ruth in one sitting — it takes about 15 minutes. Watch how Naomi's words change from bitterness in chapter 1 to hope in chapters 2–3.