Characters:
Ruth
Her name appears at: 1:4,14,16,22; 2:2,8,21,22; 3:9; 4:5,10,13 (12 times).
At 1:22; 2:2,21; 4:5,10 (5 times) the phrase used is "Ruth the Moabitess", in addition at 1:4 the phrase "Moabite wives" includes her, also at 2:6 she is called "the Moabite maiden", being introduced as a foreign girl who accompanied Naomi on her return from foreign parts.
Clearly one thing the text wants us to understand is that Ruth is a Moabite.
Apart from being a foreigner, who is Ruth (according to the descriptions given in the text)?
We can sum up than saying that Ruth is
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faithful to Naomi and to the Lord, |
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is a woman of recognised worth, |
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so is blessed and becomes |
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one of the Mothers of Israel. |
Which descriptions, in the book, give this information?
Can you add characteristics of Ruth?
(Where in the book are they shown?)
After doing the exercise above compare your answers with this list.
The use of her name to name the book reflects her central place in the action of the story, if the true "subject" of the story is the family of Elimelek it is nevertheless Ruth who represents and personifies this "subject".