The Book of

RUTH

Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Copyright © 1988 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503

All rights reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Hubbard, Robert L., 1943–

The Book of Ruth / by Robert Hubbard, Jr.

(The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Bibliography: p. 76

Includes indexes.

ISBN 0-8028-2526-5

1. Bible. O.T. Ruth—Commentaries.

I. Bible. O.T. Ruth. English. Hubbard. 1988.

II. Title. III. Title: Ruth. IV. Series.

BS1315.3.H83 1988

222′3507—dc19 88-24045

To My Parents,
Robert L., Sr., and Verna C. Hubbard,
With Deep Gratitude

CONTENTS

Author’s Preface

Principal Abbreviations

INTRODUCTION

i. Text

ii. Canonicity

iii. Literary Criticism

iv. Authorship and Date

v. Purpose

vi. Setting

vii. Genre

viii. Legal Background

ix. Themes

x. Theology

xi. Analysis of Contents

xii. Select Bibliography

TEXT AND COMMENTARY

i. Report: The Story of Naomi and Ruth (1:1–4:17)

A. Naomi Returns to Bethlehem (1:1–22)

B. Ruth Finds Favor with Boaz (2:1–23)

C. Ruth Proposes Marriage to Boaz (3:1–18)

D. Widow Naomi Has a Baby (4:1–17)

ii. The Genealogy of Perez (4:18–22)

INDEXES

i. Subjects

ii. Authors

iii. Scripture References

iv. Hebrew Words

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

It is said that when the renowned nineteenth-century German scholar, Julius Wellhausen, saw a colleague’s new book, he remarked, “So thick a book for so thin a subject.” Since Ruth has only four chapters (barely 85 verses!), readers may be similarly startled at the length of this book. They wonder how so simple a story as the book tells could require such extensive comment. In reply, I grant that the book’s apparent simplicity tempts one to treat Ruth casually. I have, however, sought to take the book seriously since, in fact, behind its simplicity lurk both knotty interpretative problems to be solved and rich literary art to be savored.

Happily, as if obeying Boaz’s command (2:16), scholarly predecessors have strewn my path with a rich harvest of study. It is a pleasure to acknowledge my debt to those from whom I have gleaned the most: A. Berlin, E. F. Campbell, Jr., H. W. Hertzberg, B. Porten, L. Morris, W. Rudolph, J. Sasson, P. Trible, E. Würthwein. Unlike Ruth, however, I have occasionally ventured into “another field” (2:8); that is, I have offered my own interpretations on many matters from which others may glean—hopefully, at least—an “ephah” 2:17) of enriched understanding of this remarkable literary masterpiece.

Profound gratitude is also due to many others: to my former teacher, the late William H. Brownlee, for recommending me to this series; to its editor, Professor R. K. Harrison, for taking his advice; to Denver Seminary for providing a pleasant workplace and two generous sabbatical leaves; to the seminary’s library staff for tracking down everything I needed (not an easy task!); to its Word Processing Center for preparing ...