Who Was Ruth in the Bible?
Who Was Ruth in the Bible? Ruth was a Moabite woman who chose to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and worship the God of Israel. She married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David.
Key verse: Ruth 1:16 (KJV)
Ruth was a Moabite woman who chose to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and worship the God of Israel. She married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David.
Ruth was a Moabite woman who chose to follow her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and worship the God of Israel. She married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David.
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." — Ruth 1:16 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
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The Biblical Answer
The Book of Ruth tells the story of a Moabite widow who refused to abandon her mother-in-law Naomi after both their husbands died. Ruth's declaration 'thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God' (Ruth 1:16) is one of the most beautiful expressions of loyalty in Scripture. In Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a kinsman of her late father-in-law. Boaz acted as a kinsman-redeemer, marrying Ruth according to the levirate custom. Their son Obed was the grandfather of King David, placing Ruth in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her story demonstrates God's inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan.
Key Scripture References
"And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
"And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who was Ruth in the Bible?
Ruth was a Moabite woman who showed extraordinary loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, converted to the God of Israel, and became an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.
What Is a Kinsman-Redeemer?
A kinsman-redeemer (goel) was a close relative who had the right and responsibility to redeem a family member from debt, slavery, or to continue a deceased relative's lineage.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Ruth. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Ruth on day 69 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Was Ruth in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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