Ruth
femaleJudgesMeaning: “Friend / companion”
A Moabite widow whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and marriage to Boaz made her the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.
Biography
Ruth, a Moabite woman, is one of only two women with a book of the Bible named for her. Her story — set "in the days when the judges ruled" (Ruth 1:1) — is a quiet gem of covenant loyalty, redemption, and the surprising grace that grafts an outsider into the line of the Messiah.
A vow of loyalty
Widowed in Moab along with her mother-in-law Naomi, Ruth refused to return to her own people. Her pledge is among the most beautiful in Scripture: "whither thou goest, I will go... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God" (Ruth 1:16).
Gleaning in Bethlehem
Back in Bethlehem, Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of Naomi's late husband, who showed her notable kindness and protection (Ruth 2).
The kinsman-redeemer
At Naomi's counsel Ruth appealed to Boaz to act as her goel — kinsman-redeemer. Boaz lawfully secured the right to redeem Naomi's land and to marry Ruth (Ruth 3–4).
Mother in the royal line
Ruth bore a son, Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:17). The women of Bethlehem blessed Naomi, and Ruth — a foreigner — took her place in Israel's most important family.
Legacy
Ruth is named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5), a standing witness that God's redeeming purpose reaches beyond Israel to all who take refuge under His wings (Ruth 2:12).
Life Timeline
Pledges loyalty to Naomi and leaves Moab for Bethlehem
Gleans in the field of Boaz
Redeemed and married by Boaz
Gives birth to Obed, grandfather of David
On the Bible timeline
Ruth belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Family Tree
Drag to pan · use + / − to zoom · tap the + on a relative to expand a generation · click anyone to open their page
Themes & lessons from Ruth
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Ruth appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
13 verses in 2 booksRuth12 verses
Ruth 1:4
And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
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: Intreat: or, Be not against me
Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 2:2
And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
Ruth 2:8
Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
Ruth 2:21
And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.
Ruth 2:22
And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field. meet: or, fall upon thee
Ruth 3:9
And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. a near: or, one that hath right to redeem
Ruth 4:5
Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
Ruth 4:10
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
Matthew1 verse
Matthew 1:5
And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Frequently asked about Ruth
Who was Ruth in the Bible?
A Moabite widow whose loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and marriage to Boaz made her the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus.
What does the name Ruth mean?
The name Ruth means “Friend / companion”.
What did Ruth do in the Bible?
Ruth served as gleaner, ancestress of david.
Who were Ruth's children?
Ruth's children include Obed.
Where does Ruth appear in the Bible?
Ruth is mentioned 13 times across 2 books: Ruth, Matthew.
What can we learn from Ruth?
The story of Ruth touches on themes of ruth, readings, select, government, heir — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Ruth's life.
Sermon Mate
Teaching on Ruth?
Organize your sermon notes, link Scripture passages, and build your outline in Sermon Mate — the workspace for ministry leaders.
Open Sermon Mate →