Questions tagged [ruth]

The book of Ruth tells the story of a Moabite who remains loyal to her Jewish family. Ruth is the grandmother of King David.

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Why didn't Naomi know Ruth? (Ruth 3:16)

In the well-known story of Ruth, the eponymous character (Ruth!) is daughter-in-law to Naomi. As the story progresses, Naomi comes to believe that Ruth has a chance of finding "security" with Boaz, a kinsman. A night-time rendezvous is planned, and…
Dɑvïd
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"There is a son born to Naomi"? But it's a grandson -- what's up with that?

In chapter 4 of Rut, after Boaz performs levirate marriage with Rut and she bears a son, it says: וַתִּקְרֶאנָה לוֹ הַשְּׁכֵנוֹת שֵׁם לֵאמֹר, יֻלַּד-בֵּן לְנָעֳמִי; וַתִּקְרֶאנָה שְׁמוֹ עוֹבֵד, הוּא אֲבִי-יִשַׁי אֲבִי דָוִד. And the women her…
user3457
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Why was the "nearer-redeemer" surprised to learn of his obligation to Ruth?

In Ruth 4:4-4:6, the nearer redeemer initially agrees to buy the field being sold by Naomi, but when Boaz tells him that he will be required to take Ruth as his wife, he reneges on this, leaving Boaz to fulfill the redeemer role. So I thought I…
Susan
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Why would marrying Ruth have impaired the Redeemer's inheritance?

Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, “Turn aside, friend; sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city and…
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Why does Boaz keep calling Ruth "my daughter"?

Ruth 3 carries obvious sexual undertones. 7 After Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then Ruth went in secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 At midnight, Boaz…
user35953
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Usage of "fields of" vs. "land of" Moab in Ruth

At the beginning of Ruth (1:1, 1:2, and many others), the place that Elimelech, Naomi and their sons settle in is referred to as שדה/שדי מואב, literally "field(s) of Moab". Why would this usage appear here as opposed to ארץ מואב, the land of Moav? …
user22655
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Why did Boaz only own part of the field?

... and [Ruth] happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz... (Ruth 2:3) Why did Boaz only own part of the field? And was it really just coincidence that Ruth ended up there?
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When did the story of Ruth take place?

Did the book of Ruth take place before, during, or after Israel took over Moab?
Harry Boyd
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Naomi, who has come back from Moab, IS SELLING? the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek

New International Version, Ruth 4: 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. New King James Version: Then he said to the close relative,…
user35953
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Did Ruth take a break from gleaning in the shelter in Ruth 2:7?

Ruth 2:7 New International Version She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.” Brenton Septuagint…
user35953
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Timeline of the story of Ruth

In Ruth 1:1: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. (NIV) Two questions: Firstly, does the…
user22655
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Could Boaz have had a first wife and family?

From Boaz statement to Ruth that she could have gone after young men...I believe it is reasonable to suppose that Boaz was quite a bit older than Ruth. Is it reasonable to suppose that for some reason or another, Boaz didn't seem to have another…
Judy A
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