Ruth

The loyalty that gave rise to kings

A widowed Moabite who clings to Naomi and to her God; she marries Boaz and enters the line of David, and of Jesus.

Loyalty that changes everything

A Moabite widow, she chooses to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi and with her God: 'your people will be my people'. A foreigner enters the story of faith.

From the margins to the royal line

Boaz redeems her as kinsman-redeemer; from the marriage comes the line of David, and of Jesus. A Gentile at the heart of the messianic genealogy.

Did you know?

• Ruth is one of the five women named in Jesus' genealogy in Matthew 1. Matthew 1:5

Where to read in the Bible

• Ruth 1–4

Connections

• great-grandmother of David · stated in the text · Ruth 4:13–17
• linked to Jesus of Nazareth · stated in the text · Matthew 1:5–16
• lived in Bethlehem · stated in the text · Ruth 1:22
• linked to Boaz · stated in the text · Ruth 4:13

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