Bible person
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
- linked to Boaz · stated in the text · Ruth 4:13
- great-grandmother of David · cross-reference · Ruth 4:17
- linked to Boaz · stated in the text · Ruth 4:13
- linked to Boaz · editorial reading · Ruth 4:17
- great-grandmother of David · cross-reference · Ruth 4:17
- linked to Jesus of Nazareth · cross-reference · Matthew 1:5
- lived in Bethlehem · factual · Ruth 1:22