Ruth

Also known as: Ruth the Moabite

Woman · Model of Loyalty and Redemption

Ruth was a Moabite widow who refused to abandon her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi after both their husbands died. Her declaration of loyalty is among the most beautiful passages in scripture: "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). Arriving destitute in Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned grain in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's late husband. Boaz noticed her devotion and protected her: "It hath been fully shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law" (Ruth 2:11). Following Naomi's counsel, Ruth approached Boaz at the threshing floor, and he agreed to serve as kinsman-redeemer — purchasing the family land and taking Ruth as his wife. Their son Obed was the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:17), placing Ruth — a foreign convert — in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Key Events

1"Whither thou goest, I will go" — pledged loyalty to Naomi
2Gleaned in Boaz's fields
3Boaz served as kinsman-redeemer
4Great-grandmother of King David
5In the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5)

What Scripture Says (238 verses)

1 John 1:8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John · Chapter 1

John 15:26

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John · Chapter 15

Genesis 24:27

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

Genesis · Chapter 24

Genesis 32:10

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

Genesis · Chapter 32

Genesis 42:16

Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

Genesis · Chapter 42

Exodus 18:21

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus · Chapter 18

Exodus 34:6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exodus · Chapter 34

Deuteronomy 13:14

Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

Deuteronomy · Chapter 13

Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Deuteronomy · Chapter 32

Joshua 24:14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Joshua · Chapter 24

Showing 10 of 238 verses

Church Tradition

Death

Not recorded

Details

From: Moab
Verses: 238
Category: woman

Appears In

Ruth Matthew

Key Verses

Ruth 1:16-17

Ruth 2:11-12

Ruth 3:9

Ruth 4:13-17

Matthew 1:5