The jewish publication societys highly acclaimed bible commentary series provides a critical linebyline commentary of the biblical text, which is presented in its original hebrew, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, as well as the jps english translation. The latest in the jps bible commentary series, 2011 national jewish book award winner, barbara dobkin award in womens studies the moving story of ruth, with its themes of loyalty, loving kindness hesed, and redemption, is one of the great narratives of the bible. The children of israel had become lax in their observances of the torah, and had called g. Upon his death she becomes a childless widow who chooses to accompany her motherinlaw, naomi, to judah. Book of ruth overview insight for living ministries. While quite obvious at first glance, this theme does present a major difficulty on closer examination. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Rabbi matalon delivers an informative introduction to the book of ruth, based on the commentary of the gaon from vilna. As the book of ruth later tells, ruth was sincere at her conversion ger tsedek or more correctly, gioret tsedakah, but orpah was not. It does not appear that the women they married were proselyted to the jewish religion, for orpah is said to return to her gods v.
Ruths name provides the title for the book of ruth, probably a piece of historical fiction set in the time of the judges. Obviously, the author was familiar with israels greatest king. Ruth 4 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. It is unlikely that it was written before the time of david cp. Who is this woman, special enough to have an entire book in the bible named for her, which we read on shavuot, the epic day on which the torah was given to the jewish people. They are all high quality commentaries targeting the literal. Ruth 1 complete jewish bible cjb 1 back in the days when the judges were judging, at a time when there was a famine in the land, a certain man from beitlechem went to live in the territory of moav he, his wife and his two sons. As a liberal jewish community, we encourage our young adults to affirm their commitment to the jewish community on shavuot. Book of ruth bible study chapter 2 growing in grace. Uncover his feet remove the clothes which are upon his feet. Torah commentators offer two major theses to explain the custom. And it was god who constrains ruth to stay with naomi. Upon his death she becomes a childless widow who chooses to accompany her.
Virtually jewish by ruth ellen gruber commentary magazine. It is set in the time of the judges not the best ones, if we assign it to the period of gideon and samson and it attempts to define the rights of widows and aliens within a society. Introduction having dedicated herself to the god of israel, ruth, in chapter 2, begins to grow in. It was god who preserved a kinsman to continue naomis line 2. Study ruth 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The book of ruth reflects a time of peace between israel and moab contrast jdg 3. The book of ruth abbreviated rth is included in the third division, or the writings ketuvim. May 14, 2002 see the commentary of the gaon of vilna on the book of ruth. Then, when a famine hit, elimelech from the tribe of judah a great and wealthy. Study ruth 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Book of ruth, old testament book belonging to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the ketuvim, or writings.
The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of judges as a period of religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and frequent foreign oppression. Now boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative. We also read the book of ruth because ruth s fidelity is symbolic of the loyalty expected of the entire jewish community to torah and to the people of israel. But naomi is so embittered by gods hard providence that she cant see his mercy at work in her life. Introduction having dedicated herself to the god of israel, ruth, in chapter 2, begins to grow in her relationship and dedication to boaz. The third reason for verses 8 is to make ruths faithfulness to naomi appear amazing. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of ruth. Apr 17, 2020 it was god who preserved a kinsman to continue naomis line 2. Samuel wrote the book of ruth to record the events that occurred when ruth joined the jewish people and married boaz, clarifying that davids lineage was sound. The book of ruth also functions liturgically, as it is read during the jewish holiday of shavuot weeks.
The much beloved story of ruth is told with a consummate skill that most likely reflects a long process of polishing through repeated retellings. Ruth is not quoted or referred to in the new testament, except that the generations from hezron to david in our lords genealogy seem to be taken from it. It is set in the time of the judges not the best ones, if we assign it to the period of gideon and samson and it attempts to define the rights of widows and aliens within a society fallen upon hard times. We also read the book of ruth because ruths fidelity is symbolic of the loyalty expected of the entire jewish community to torah and to the people of israel. Why we read the book of ruth on shavuot my jewish learning. Ruth, esther and judith, israel drazin, gefen publishing. The jewish publication societys highly acclaimed bible commentary series provides a critical linebyline commentary of the biblical text, which is presented in its original hebrew, complete with vocalization and cantillation marks, as well as the jps english translation the moving story of ruth, with its themes of loyalty, loving kindness hesed, and redemption, is one. On the surface, it is the story of a young virtuous maiden who leaves her family and her nation to cast her lot with a people and religion that she has not previously known.
Commentary on the book of ruth by matthew henry old. The books of the old testament, to the contents of which reference seems to be made in the book of ruth, are judges, leviticus, deuteronomy, genesis, 1 and 2 samuel, and perhaps job. Davids opponents slandered him, claiming that he wasnt a legitimate member of the jewish nation, since his ancestress was a moabitess. Had ruth acted in any respect that in those days was judged indecent or immodest, it is most.
Those of you who are starting your study with seed of abraham torah class with the book of ruth are going to be at a disadvantage unless you have received. Reinventing jewish culture in europe by ruth ellen gruber university of california. Both the torah, which was given on shavuot, and ruth are all about kindness and generosity hesed. Thus seen, the book of ruth provides its readers with a light of spiritual faithfulness in a period of otherwise spiritual darkness.
Rabbi david gedzelman explores the book of ruth with an eye toward structures of covenantal openness, societal protection and compassion. Excerpts this commentary is from a modern writer and is well done background notes. On the surface, it is the story of a young virtuous maiden who leaves her family and her nation to cast her lot with a. This appendix shows that the special object contemplated by the inspired author of this little book was to preserve the memory of an interesting domestic episode, and to trace the genealogy of david. Ruths kindness as noted in the book of ruth by boaz is seen in the jewish tradition as in rare contradistinction to the peoples of moab where ruth comes from and amon in general, who were noted by the torah for their distinct lack of kindness. Broch book of ruth, as reflected in rabbinic literature new york, philipp feldheim, 1975. The book of ruth, which is poetically idyllic in character, although the narrative is in the form of prose, contains an episode from the period of the judges. Jewish sources offer six explanations for the custom of reading the book of ruth on shavuot, the festival commemorating the giving of the torah at sinai. Jan 03, 2016 rabbi matalon delivers an informative introduction to the book of ruth, based on the commentary of the gaon from vilna.
A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Jewish bible commentaries merrimack valley havurah. In traditional settings, the book of ruth is read on the second day of shavuot. Written by kirsten nielsen, this commentary meets the aims of the series in providing a critical take in a midlength commentary.
Ruth by tamara cohn eskenazi and tivka frymerkensky jewish publication society, philadelphia, 2011 i have all of the jps commentaries genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, deuteronomy, noah, esther, ecclestiastes, and the hafterot and have read nearly all of them except the hafterot. At harvest time the torah enjoins us to share the lands bounty with the poor and the stranger in our midst. Ruth is the ancestor of king david, and consequently the matriarch of the messianic line. For this reason it is placed in the septuagint after the book of judges. Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Lessons from the book of ruth jewish theological seminary. Ruth is a moabite woman who marries a judean immigrant named mahlon 1. The book of ruth follows the book of judges in our bibles because its setting was in that time period.
The genealogy at the end of the book shows davids lineage through the days of the judges, acting as a support for his rightful kingship. Ruth is a book for all times, whether written in post. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Anyone reading the story of ruth is immediately struck by the strength of her dedication to her mother in law, naomi. The translated bible text has been through advanced checking. Ruth s name provides the title for the book of ruth, probably a piece of historical fiction set in the time of the judges. Then naomi her motherinlaw said to her, my daughter, shall i not seek security for you, that it may be well with you.
Ruth 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. From alienation to monarchy maggid studies in tanakh yael ziegler, koren, 2015. Ruth 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. See the commentary of the gaon of vilna on the book of ruth. To provide a biographical sketch of the pious ancestors of david the king which the books of samuel do not provide.
Rut ruth chapter 1 tanakh online torah bible chabad. Written by kirsten nielsen, this commentary meets the aims of the series in providing a. Commentary on the book of ruth matthew henrys bible commentary. They quickly forgot the torah and mitzvot, and deteriorated into moral corruption.
The five megilloth, a jewish commentary, said, in style it is matchless. Ruth s kindness as noted in the book of ruth by boaz is seen in the jewish tradition as in rare contradistinction to the peoples of moab where ruth comes from and amon in general, who were noted by the torah for their distinct lack of kindness. In the hebrew bible, ruth stands with the song of solomon, lamentations, ecclesiastes, and esther. Moreover, jewish canonical tradition links judges and ruth, together as one book, again pointing to an early date. The book of ruth gets its own small volume in the old testament library otl series. The final words of the book link ruth with her greatgrandson, david ruth 4. Because they the peoples of amon and moab did not greet you with bread and water on. There was a famine in the land this makes it probable that the things here recorded came to pass in the days of gideon, for that is the only time when we read of a famine in the days of the judges. Had ruth acted in any respect that in those days was judged indecent or immodest, it is most likely she would have highly displeased such a grave.
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