The Book of Ruth

Ruth is a short, tender story of loyalty, kindness and redemption — a Moabite widow grafted into Israel and into the lineage of King David and ultimately of Christ.

Testament: Old (4 chapters)
Type: History
Date: Set in the period of the Judges (probably the 12th c. BC); written down later.

Hesed — covenant loyalty

Ruth's loyalty to Naomi ('whither thou goest, I will go' — 1:16) is the book's burning center. The Hebrew word hesed — steady covenant love — appears at every turn, embodied in Ruth's choice, Boaz's generosity, and ultimately God's faithfulness.

Redemption

Boaz acts as a 'kinsman-redeemer' (Hebrew goel), buying back what is lost and securing the family's future. The pattern foreshadows Christ as the great Redeemer, who buys back what is lost at his own cost.

Key verses (KJV)

“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 (KJV)

“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” — Ruth 2:12 (KJV)

“And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” — Ruth 4:22 (KJV)

How to read Ruth

Read in one sitting — it's only four chapters and reads like a short story. Then re-read knowing the closing genealogy: this Moabite widow is King David's great-grandmother and Christ's ancestor.

Read Ruth on your iPhone

Read the full book of Ruth in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.

Read Ruth free on iPhone.

Download on the App Store

Popular chapters in Ruth

Ruth 1

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Book of Ruth about?

Ruth is a book of History, running to 4 chapters. Its main threads: Hesed — covenant loyalty; Redemption.

Who wrote the Book of Ruth?

Traditionally Samuel, though anonymous. The book sits between Judges and 1 Samuel chronologically and thematically — a quiet contrast to the chaos of the Judges era.

Where does Ruth come in the Bible?

Ruth is one of the 39 books of the Old Testament in the Protestant canon, grouped with the History books. You can walk the canon in order using the previous and next links on this page.