Lexical Summary Rhouth: Ruth Original Word: Ῥούθ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ruth. Of Hebrew origin (Ruwth); Ruth, a Moabitess -- Ruth. see HEBREW Ruwth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Ruth Definition Ruth, a Moabitess and an ancestor of Christ NASB Translation Ruth (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4503: ΡουθΡουθ (in Josephus, Antiquities 5, 9, 2 Ρ᾽ουθη, Ρ᾽ουθης), ἡ (רוּת for רְעוּת, a female friend), Ruth, a Moabitish woman, one of the ancestors of king David, whose history is related in the canonical book bearing her name: Matthew 1:5. (B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Name and Usage Ῥούθ (Routh, Ruth) appears once in the Greek New Testament, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). The single mention gathers up the entire Old Testament testimony about Ruth and sets it within the messianic lineage. Historical Background • Timeframe: The events of Ruth transpire “in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1), a morally turbulent era for Israel. Narrative Overview Ruth’s account unfolds through four movements: 1. Tragedy and Loyalty – After famine drives Elimelech’s family to Moab and death claims the male heads of household, Ruth cleaves to Naomi, declaring, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Genealogical Significance Matthew 1:5 records, “Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse.” Ruth is one of five women highlighted in the Matthean genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Mary). Her inclusion: Theological Themes 1. Covenant Loyalty (חֶסֶד, hesed) – Ruth mirrors divine steadfast love through her devotion to Naomi. Foreshadowing of Christ • Boaz’s willingness to redeem at personal cost typifies Jesus, who pays the price for His bride (1 Peter 1:18-19). Practical Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Ruth underscores that no ethnic or cultural background excludes one from God’s redemptive plan. Key Passages for Study • Ruth 1:16-17 – Ruth’s confession of faith and loyalty Jewish and Early Christian Reception Jewish tradition reads Ruth at Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), celebrating both harvest and covenant reception—motifs resonant with Acts 2. Early Christian writers such as Augustine cited Ruth as evidence of predestination and grace transcending lineage. Summary Though mentioned only once in the Greek New Testament, Ῥούθ stands as a luminous testament to God’s providence, covenant faithfulness, and redemptive purpose that culminate in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations ερρύθμισεν Ρουθ Ῥούθ ροώνος ρύακος ρυθμοί ρυθμόν Rhouth Rhoúth RouthLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |