Who Was Ruth in the Bible — Meaning Explained
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)
What "Who Was Ruth in the Bible?" Actually Means
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.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Ruth 1:16
"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 4:17
"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."
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