BOOK OF RUTH A Hebrew Short Story

BOOK OF RUTH • Is an excellent example of a Hebrew

short story.• Is a literary form created relatively

early in history of Israel. • Scholars guess that this particular

story was written sometime between 950 B.C. and 700 B.C.

• Scholars guess that this particular story was written sometime between 950 B.C. and 700 B.C.

• It may have been recited at festivals in capital cities and well-known centers.

• The storytellers may have been Levites, a members of Hebrew Tribe whose role was to assist religions ceremonies.

Naomi Elimelech

Mahlon

Orpah

Chilion

Ruth

Boaz

Naomi which means " or "my delight later asks to be called Mara means “bitter”.

Elimelech husband of Naomi means “my god is king.

Mahlon son of Naomi and Elimelech it means "sick“

Chilion also a son of Naomi and Elimelech , it means weakening" or "pining"

Characters:

Orpah wife of Chilion, meaning "mane" or "gazelle", is from the root for "nape" or "back of the neck“.

Ruth wife of Mahlon, meaning "friend",pledges loyalty to NaomiBoaz second husband of Ruth "fleetness” or

"strength is (in) him" or "he comes in strength"

Chapter One Ruth remains loyal to her mother-in-law

Naomi after the death of her husband and father-in-law. Naomi decides to return to her home land of Bethlehem alone, however, Ruth insists on staying and adopting Naomi's God as her own. " But Ruth said,

" Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, shall be my God"

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Ruth gleaning in the fields of Naomi's relative Boaz. Boaz out of compassion and obedience to the law allows Ruth to glean but also leaves extra grain for her purposely.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Naomi encourages Ruth to

seek marriage with Boaz ass a kinsman-redeemer. Ruth obeys Naomi and asks foe her rights and Boaz agrees but mentions that he must be sure that there are no others with first rights.

Chapter 4

Boaz and Ruth marry and have a child, thus insuring the continuation of the Davidic line that eventually leads to the birth of Jesus.