3216

Lexical Summary

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Part of Speech:
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Topical Lexicon

Meaning and Background

Strong’s Greek 3216 designates the feminine ethnicon “Moabitess,” a woman belonging to the people of Moab. Though absent from the Greek New Testament, the term is common in the Septuagint (LXX), translating Hebrew mô’ăbiyyâ (Ruth 1:22). The Moabites were descendants of Lot through his elder daughter (Genesis 19:37), living east of the Dead Sea. In Scripture they are portrayed both as persistent antagonists of Israel (Numbers 22 – 25; 2 Kings 3) and as surprising recipients of covenant mercy (the book of Ruth).

Old Testament Use

• Ruth 1:22; 2:2; 2:6; 4:5, 10 – Ruth the Moabitess returns with Naomi, gleans under Boaz’s protection, and is redeemed into the Messianic line.
• Deuteronomy 23:3 – 4 – “No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation”, reflecting national hostility shown during Israel’s wilderness journey.
• 1 Kings 11:1 – Solomon’s Moabite wives lead his heart astray.
• Ezra 9:1; Nehemiah 13:1 – 2 – Post-exilic reforms address inter-marriage with Moabites in light of Deuteronomy 23.
• Isaiah 15 – 16; Jeremiah 48 – Prophetic oracles predict Moab’s downfall yet hint at future refuge in Zion (Isaiah 16:1 – 5).

Theological Reflection

1. Sin and Separation: Moab’s origins in incest (Genesis 19) and later idolatry (Numbers 25) exemplify humanity’s fallen condition and the enmity that sin erects between peoples.
2. Grace Beyond Borders: Ruth embodies how covenant faith can override ancestral barriers. Her confession, “Your people will be my people and your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16), anticipates the gospel call to the nations.
3. Messianic Lineage: Matthew 1:5 records “Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth,” highlighting that the Redeemer’s genealogy already included Gentile blood. The presence of a Moabitess in Jesus Christ’s lineage showcases divine sovereignty and inclusive grace.
4. Judgment and Mercy: Prophecies against Moab culminate in a promise: “In faithfulness a throne will be established” (Isaiah 16:5). Judgment is real, yet God provides a place of refuge for those who seek Him.

Historical Perspective

• Geopolitically, Moab often controlled the King’s Highway and taxed caravans, leading to repeated conflict with Israel and Judah (2 Kings 3:4 – 27).
• The Mesha Stele (circa 840 BC) corroborates 2 Kings 3, confirming Moab’s rebellion against Israel.
• Post-exilic communities struggled with Moabite inter-marriage, illustrating the tension between maintaining covenant identity and demonstrating compassion to foreigners.

Ministry Significance

1. Evangelism and Inclusion: Ruth’s account urges churches to welcome outsiders who seek the God of Israel, reflecting the Great Commission mandate (Matthew 28:19).
2. Marriage and Faith: Boaz models godly discernment in cross-cultural marriage, guided by covenant loyalty rather than ethnic prejudice.
3. Women in God’s Plan: The designation “Moabitess” reminds believers that gender and ethnicity do not disqualify anyone from strategic roles in redemptive history.
4. Hope for the Marginalized: Those with tarnished backgrounds (whether personal or ancestral) find assurance that faith, not pedigree, secures standing in the family of God (Galatians 3:29).

Related Terms and Concepts

• Moab (Strong’s Hebrew 4124) – the nation.
• Chemosh – Moab’s national deity, often contrasted with the LORD (Jeremiah 48:7, 13).
• Goel (kinsman-redeemer) – central legal theme in Ruth; Boaz exemplifies Christ-like redemption.
• Foreigners and Sojourners – Torah protections (Leviticus 19:34) prefigure the gospel’s outreach to the Gentiles.

Summary

Although Strong’s Greek 3216 never appears in the New Testament, the figure it names—“the Moabitess”—threads through the biblical narrative as a testimony to God’s unwavering justice against sin and His astonishing grace toward those who turn to Him. Ruth’s faith, Boaz’s redemption, and the prophetic hopes for Moab converge to foreshadow the Messiah, encouraging believers to proclaim a gospel that welcomes all who, like Ruth, seek shelter “under the wings” of the LORD (Ruth 2:12).

Englishman's Concordance

μελῶν — 2 Occ.
μέλος — 5 Occ.
Μελχὶ — 2 Occ.
Μελχισεδέκ — 8 Occ.
ἔμελεν — 2 Occ.
μέλει — 7 Occ.
μελέτω — 1 Occ.
μεμβράνας — 1 Occ.
μέμφεται — 1 Occ.
μεμφόμενος — 1 Occ.
μὲν — 182 Occ.
Μενοῦν — 1 Occ.
μενοῦνγε — 2 Occ.
μέντοι — 8 Occ.
ἐμείναμεν — 2 Occ.
ἔμειναν — 2 Occ.
ἔμεινεν — 10 Occ.
ἔμενεν — 3 Occ.
ἔμενον — 1 Occ.
μεῖναι — 6 Occ.