The Book of Ruth: Chapters, Verses, Summary, and More

  • The Book of Ruth tells the story of love and sacrifice of Ruth, a Moabite woman who becomes an ancestor of King David.
  • Ruth chooses to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi, demonstrating unconditional filial love in difficult times.
  • The book highlights the importance of obedience to God and love for one's neighbor in the Israelite community.
  • Despite her origin, Ruth is accepted in Israel, symbolizing God's grace and love.
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Discover how true love requires some sacrifices, through the Book of Ruth , which is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel.

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Book of Ruth

The book of Ruth belongs to the Old Testament whose main character is a Moabite woman named Ruth. From this woman descends our Lord Jesus Christ and King David.

In the Judaic context of Ruth's time we must remember that women were denigrated. Likewise, the people of Israel did not have any type of communion with foreign nations like Moab. Therefore, it is surprising that in the Holy Scriptures we find the name of one of the books with the name of a Moabite woman.

The location of the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament corresponds to the structure proposed by the Septuagint, since its organization will depend on historical and chronological events.

Reviewing the events of the Book of Judges, we can appreciate the disobedience and decadence of God's chosen people to the Law. Sin, disobedience and corruption leave the believer with deep sadness. Then the Book of Ruth emerges where we realize that people like this woman become virtuous, as established in the Book of Proverbs, in Chapter 31 and as expressed by Boaz in the following verse of the Holy Scriptures

Ruth 3:11

11 Now then, do not be afraid, my daughter; I will do for you what you say, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.

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Highlights of the Book of Ruth

The title of the book corresponds to a Moabite woman who is the great-grandmother of the King of David and from this lineage descends our Lord Jesus Christ (Ruth 4:21-22; Matthew 1:1-5).

Historic context

The Book of Ruth unfolds in the time of the judges. A time characterized by disobedience, sin, moral corruption of God's chosen people to the covenant.

Judges 3:12

12 The children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

Likewise, we must remember that Israel was to avoid contamination with other Gentile nations. However, there was a period of peace between Israel and Moab

1 Samuel 1: 1-2

1 There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim, from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2 Now he had two wives; the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

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Author and date

The Holy Scriptures do not reveal who was the author of the Book of Ruth, therefore it is unknown. The Jews attribute the book to the prophet Samuel. However, there are some detractors of this idea, because of the literary style some believe that it was written in the monarchical period. Others differ that it was Samuel because the fact of mentioning King David supposes a later period than the times of the prophet (Ruth 4:17, 22).

Ruth 4:17

17 And the neighboring women gave him a name, saying, Naomi has a son; and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Central theme

The central theme of the Book of Ruth is to highlight filial love and agape in human relationships. We can see how Ruth refuses to leave his mother-in-law Naomi alone, after her children died (Ruth 1: 16-7; 2: 11-12; 3:10; 4:15)

We can also appreciate Boaz's affection not to abandon two widows (Naomi and Ruth). This Israelite shows his obedience to God's Law (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:10) on love of neighbor. As a product of love and obedience, the Lord blesses these characters (Ruth 2.2; 3:9)

The fact that Ruth was accepted through marriage into an Israelite family is added. This virtuous woman gives all her love unconditionally to her mother-in-law. She is faithful to him to the end. This unconditional love towards her mother-in-law makes her worthy of being received in Israel and therefore to be the ancestor of King David and of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The story of Ruth represents the behavior expected of women who confess God as their Savior. Ruth is a living example of what it means to be a virtuous woman and the great blessings that come with it. If you would like to learn more about the characteristics that define us as daughters of the Lord, we invite you to visit the following link: Woman of God

This means that it is not by blood, nor by nationality that we will be under the promise, but by the will of God and the grace that he has given us for those of us who have believed in his Son and in doing his will.

Romans 1: 5

5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;

Literary Characteristics of the Book of Ruth

This is one of the Hebrew stories that is told from a literary point of view that keeps so much warmth, beauty, opacity and manages to convey the feeling of whoever was the author of this book.

Ruth, as described throughout this wonderful book of the Holy Scriptures, shows how important it is to follow in Jehovah's footsteps and have a heart disposed to what should be and not what is desired.

This is a book begins with a feeling of pain and anguish as can be seen at the beginning of this book. As the biblical passages unfold, we marvel at how love for our neighbor accompanied by the mercy of the Lord can restore Faith and tranquility to our hearts.

Ruth 1:16-17

16 Ruth replied, “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried; may the Lord do so to me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death parts me from you.

In the same way, to understand a little more the context of the book of Ruth, we leave you the following video

Ruth's bravery

The decision that guides the entire book of Ruth is when she decides to enter Israel to accompany her mother-in-law. She didn't mind ceasing to be what she was to always accompany the mother of her recently deceased husband.

The biblical passage we quoted earlier (Ruth 1:16-17) clearly demonstrates, through various verbs, Naomi's disposition toward Ruth. The word "plead" relates to the Hebrew word " tifgei, " which refers not only to being urged to take action, but also to Naomi's aggressive pressure on Ruth to leave her, believing that Ruth still had plenty of life left and that Naomi would be an obstacle to it.

However, Ruth's love for her mother-in-law was greater and she did not abandon her at any time. No matter what, Rut and Nohemí were always together at all times.

book outline

To study the Book of Ruth we must structure our outline, which is summarized as follows:

The family crisis (Ruth 1:1-21)

  1. The scene of the crisis (1:1-2)
  2. The nature of the crisis (1:3-5)
  3. The crisis response (1:6-18)
  4. The interpretation of the crisis (1:19-21)

The ray of hope for the family (Ruth 1:22-2:23)

  1. The New Stage (1:22-2:23)
  2. Ruth's initiative (2:2-3)
  3. Boaz's grace (2:4-16)
  4. The results (2:17-23)

The complication for the family (Ruth 3:1-18)

  1. Naomi's plan (3:1-5)
  2. The execution of the plan (3:6-15)
  3. The results of the plan (3:16-18)

The rescue of the family (Ruth 4:1-17)

  1. The legal resolution (4:1-12)
  2. The genealogical resolution (4:13-17)

Epilogue: the royal genealogy (Ruth 4:18-22)

Characters and their meanings

  • Elimelech: Naomi's husband and his name means "My God is King"
  • Naomi: She is the wife of Elimelek and means "Pleasant"
  • Malhon: Son of Elimelek and Naomi. It means "sick"
  • Chilion: Son of Elimelek and Naomi and means "Paliducho"
  • Ruth: The woman descended from Moab and means "Friend, Companion, Gazelle"
  • Boaz: Descendant of Raab. It means in him is the strength»

Summary of each of the Chapters

The Book of Ruth as we have been able to determine has four chapters

Chapter I

Ruth receives Moabite as an adjective because it descends from Moab, the son of the incest between Lot and his daughter. The land of Moab today is Jordan, which is geographically east of Israel.

This chapter tells the story of a family from the tribe of Judah who must emigrate to Moab, as Israel was facing a terrible famine that triggered a number of terrible deaths. The family members are: Elimekek (Naomi's husband); Naomi the wife; Malhón and Chilion (children of Naomi) and later Ruth enters as wife.

Chapter II

Introduce the story to Boaz. This would be Ruth's future husband after she was widowed. From the union of both, King David and the Lord Jesus Christ would descend.

Chapter III

When a woman was widowed, she was totally helpless. It is the case of Ruth. In this chapter, Naomi tells Ruth to go seek Boaz's care and protection so that she can be redeemed.

Chapter IV

This biblical passage tells us how Boaz buys the land of Elimelech. This territory was inherited by Malhón and Chilion. Of course, Ruth was included in this negotiation. As we have noted, in Israel every name had a meaning.

This transaction symbolizes how our Lord Jesus Christ takes possession of the promised land, which was the inheritance of "sick" and "palidy" people. Also, on this earth there is a treasure that is Ru, the faithful friend, companion who represents the Church.


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