Ruth's Mother-in-Law's Identity in the Book of Ruth
Naomi's Identity in the Book of Ruth
Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, is a pivotal figure in the biblical narrative of the Book of Ruth. Her identity is deeply intertwined with the story of her family and their experiences during a time of famine in Judah [2].
The biblical account introduces Naomi as the wife of Elimelech, a native of Bethlehem, who migrates to Moab with their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, due to a severe famine in Judah. After the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, accompanied by her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth [2, 4].
Naomi's character is revealed through her interactions with Ruth. When Ruth returns to her after a night at the threshing floor with Boaz, Naomi asks, "Who art thou, my daughter?" (Ruth 3:16, Geneva1599) [1]. This query has been interpreted in various ways, but it highlights Naomi's concern and curiosity about Ruth's actions.
The relationship between Naomi and Ruth is a significant aspect of Naomi's identity. Ruth's loyalty and devotion to Naomi are evident in her decision to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem and her commitment to caring for her. The Hebrew verb used to describe Ruth's actions towards Naomi emphasizes the strength of their bond, comparing it to the union between a man and his wife (Gen 2:24) and a person's faithfulness to the Lord (Deut 4:4; 10:20; Josh 22:5) [6].
Naomi's identity is also shaped by her cultural and social context. As a widow in ancient Israelite society, Naomi faced significant challenges. Her return to Bethlehem and her interactions with Boaz, a relative of her late husband, demonstrate the complexities of her situation and the cultural norms that governed her life [2, 4].
The biblical narrative portrays Naomi as a complex and multifaceted character, whose identity is influenced by her family, cultural context, and personal experiences. Her story serves as a backdrop for the narrative of Ruth, highlighting the themes of loyalty, family, and redemption that are central to the Book of Ruth.
The historical and cultural context of Naomi's story is also significant. The Book of Ruth is believed to have been written during a later period, possibly by Samuel, according to Jewish tradition [3, 5]. The book's authorship and date are uncertain, but its inclusion in the Hebrew Bible underscores the importance of Naomi's story within the broader narrative of Israel's history.
Sources
- Ruth “Ruth 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And when she came to her mother in law, she sayd, Who art thou, my daughter? And she tolde her all that the man had done to her,”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ruth — (a female friend) a Moabitish woman, the wife, first of Mahlon, second of Boaz, the ancestress of David and Christ, and one of the four women who are named by St. Matthew in the genealogy of Christ. A severe famine in the land of Judah induced Elimelech, a native of Bethlehem--ephratah, to emigrate into the land of Moab, with his wife Naomi, and his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. This was probably about the time of Gideon, B.C. 1250. At the end of ten years Naomi now left a widow and childless, having heard that there was plenty again in Judah, resolved to retur”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ruth, Book Of — contains the history of Ruth, as narrated in the preceding article. The main object of the writer is evidently to give an account of David's ancestors; and the book was avowedly composed long after the time of the heroine. See (Ruth 1:1; 4:7,17) Its date and author are quite uncertain. Tradition is in favor of Samuel. It is probable that the books of Judges, Ruth, Samuel and Kings originally formed but one work. The book of Ruth clearly forms part of the books of Samuel, supplying as it does the essential point of David's genealogy and early family his”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ruth — A friend, a Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, whose father, Elimelech, had settled in the land of Moab. On the death of Elimelech and Mahlon, Naomi came with Ruth, her daughter-in-law, who refused to leave her, to Bethlehem, the old home from which Elimelech had migrated. There she had a rich relative, Boaz, to whom Ruth was eventually married. She became the mother of Obed, the grandfather of David. Thus Ruth, a Gentile, is among the maternal progenitors of our Lord (Matt. 1:5). The story of "the gleaner Ruth illustrates the friendly relations between the good B”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ruth The Book of — Was originally a part of the Book of Judges, but it now forms one of the twenty-four separate books of the Hebrew Bible. The history it contains refers to a period perhaps about one hundred and twenty-six years before the birth of David. It gives (1) an account of Naomi's going to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, and of her subsequent return to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law; (2) the marriage of Boaz and Ruth; and (3) the birth of Obed, of whom David sprang. The author of this book was probably Samuel, according to Jewish tradition. "Brief as ”
- Ruth (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ruth 1:14: 1:14 Ruth clung tightly to Naomi: The Hebrew verb used here emphasizes the strength of Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law; it is the same word used to describe a man being “joined to” his wife (Gen 2:24) and to describe a person staying faithful to the Lord (Deut 4:4; 10:20; Josh 22:5).”