Old Testament Exegetical Commentary of Ruth
Submitted to Dr. Gary Schnittjer in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
OBST 515-B08 LUO
Old Testament Orientation
by
Dianna L. Domek
September 26, 2017
Introduction
Historical Background
Prevailing Conditions
Main Characters
Major Argument
Major Themes
Exegetical Outline
1. Moab, and the Journey to Bethlehem: 1:1-18
1. Naomi Widowed: 1:1-5
2. Return to Bethlehem: 1:6-14
3. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi: 1:15-18
1. Arrived in Bethlehem: 1:19-2:23
1. Naomi and Ruth return: 1:19-21
2. Timing of the return: 1:22
3. Ruth meets Boaz: 2:1-7
4. Gleaning: 2:8-13
5. Mealtime with Boaz: 2:14-16
6. Return to Naomi: 2:17-23
1. Ruth and Boaz on …show more content…
It is about a Moabite woman who marries a Hebrew man who had moved to Moab. After the death of her father-in-law and her own husband, decides to follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem.
Prevailing Conditions
There was a great famine that hit the land of Moab. These women had no security, so they decided to travel to Bethlehem, because the famine in Israel was over. Naomi tried to encourage her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab. She knew that there was a better chance for them to remarry if they stayed with their own people. However, Ruth refused and said she would follow until the day she died.
Main Characters
There are about eight main characters in the book of Ruth. There is Naomi, an Israelite woman who moved to Moab with her husband and two sons to get away from the famine in Israel. There is Elimelech, who was the husband of Naomi, who died in Moab. There was Naomi’s sons Mahlon and Chilion, who died in Moab. There was Orpha, a Moabite, who was Naomi’s daughter-in-law that decided to stay with her people. There was Ruth, a Moabite, who was Naomi’s daughter-in-law that followed Naomi to Israel. There was Boaz, the son of the harlot Rehab. He was also a near kinsman who redeemed Ruth and became her husband. Finally, there was an unnamed kinsman, who had the legal first right to redeem Naomi’s property and marry Ruth, but chose not to do …show more content…
It is about a woman, a Moabite. Who after the death of her father-in-law, Elimelech, and her own husband, Mahlon , follows her mother-in-law, Naomi, to her Naomi’s homeland of Bethlehem when a food shortage has hit the land. It moves from sorrow to joy, from emptiness to fullness, largely through the initiative and resourcefulness of two women .
1.1. Naomi Widowed: 1:1-5
While we have compassion on Naomi we must also admire her. She has lost her husband and her only sons within a short time. Yet, she keeps her Hebrew ways, not in resentment but in gentle loyalty. Loving her native place, she so speaks of it in a way to make her daughters-in-law contemplate settling there with her. The influence of her religion is upon them both, and one at least is inspired with faith and tenderness equal to her own.
1.2. Return to Bethlehem: