Brief Summary:
Summarizing the Book of Proverbs is a bit difficult, for unlike many other books of Scripture, there is no particular plot or storyline found in its pages; likewise, there are no principal characters in the book. It is wisdom that takes center stage—a grand, divine wisdom that transcends the whole of history, peoples, and cultures. Even a perfunctory reading of this magnificent treasury reveals the pithy sayings of the wise King Solomon are as relevant today as they were some three thousand years ago.
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The Book of Proverbs Summary
Summary of the Book of Proverbs – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
Ruth 1:1–5 opens Naomi’s story with a short but devastating account of tragedy. The era of the judges was a period of lawlessness and idolatry in Israel (Judges 2:16–19). In one response to Israel’s sin, at least around Bethlehem, God sends a famine in judgment. Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons to Moab where the sons marry Moabite wives. Sadly, within ten years all three men are dead, leaving a Jewish woman and two Moabite daughters-in-law forced to fend for themselves.
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“Ruth 1:1” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:1
In the days when the judges judged, there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons.
Context Summary
Ruth 1:1–5 opens Naomi’s story with a short but devastating account of tragedy. The era of the judges was a period of lawlessness and idolatry in Israel (Judges 2:16–19). In one response to Israel’s sin, at least around Bethlehem, God sends a famine in judgment. Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons to Moab where the sons marry Moabite wives. Sadly, within ten years all three men are dead, leaving a Jewish woman and two Moabite daughters-in-law forced to fend for themselves.
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“Ruth 1:2” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:2
2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there.
Context Summary
Ruth 1:1–5 opens Naomi’s story with a short but devastating account of tragedy. The era of the judges was a period of lawlessness and idolatry in Israel (Judges 2:16–19). In one response to Israel’s sin, at least around Bethlehem, God sends a famine in judgment. Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons to Moab where the sons marry Moabite wives. Sadly, within ten years all three men are dead, leaving a Jewish woman and two Moabite daughters-in-law forced to fend for themselves.
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“Ruth 1:3” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:3
3 Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.
Context Summary
Ruth 1:1–5 opens Naomi’s story with a short but devastating account of tragedy. The era of the judges was a period of lawlessness and idolatry in Israel (Judges 2:16–19). In one response to Israel’s sin, at least around Bethlehem, God sends a famine in judgment. Elimelech and Naomi take their two sons to Moab where the sons marry Moabite wives. Sadly, within ten years all three men are dead, leaving a Jewish woman and two Moabite daughters-in-law forced to fend for themselves.
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“Ruth 1:5” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:5
5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.
Context Summary
Ruth 1:6–14 records Naomi receiving good news: the famine in Bethlehem is over. She and her family fled to Moab ten years prior. Now, her husband and sons are gone, but she has two loving daughters-in-law. At first, they accompany her. Yet Naomi becomes convinced their arrangement cannot work. Orpah and Ruth can live with her in poverty, or they can find rest in a new family. After a persuasive argument, Orpah tearfully agrees to leave, but Ruth stays. Naomi is bitter now, but Ruth will prove to be everything the mourning widow needs.
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“Ruth 1:8” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:8
8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
(Read Ruth 1:15-18)
See Ruth’s resolution, and her good affection to Naomi. Orpah was loth to part from her; yet she did not love her well enough to leave Moab for her sake. Thus, many have a value and affection for Christ, yet come short of salvation by him, because they will not forsake other things for him. They love him, yet leave him, because they do not love him enough, but love other things better. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, inclining the soul to choose the better part. Naomi could desire no more than the solemn declaration Ruth made. See the power of resolution; it silences temptation. Those that go in religious ways without a stedfast mind, stand like a door half open, which invites a thief; but resolution shuts and bolts the door, resists the devil and forces him to flee.
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Ruth 1 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Ruth 1:16-17
16 Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God[c] my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”
Context Summary
Ruth 1:19–22 describes Naomi’s return to Bethlehem. Ten years prior, she fled with an empty stomach, but also with a husband and sons who filled her hands with blessings. Now, Bethlehem can again fill her stomach, but her family has died. In her bitterness, she seems to forget the faithful, loving Moabite daughter-in-law who has followed her and vows to stay at her side. She will learn soon enough how God will use Ruth to restore her hope and her future.
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“Ruth 1:22” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 1:22 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 1:22
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Context Summary
Ruth 2:1–3 serves as a summary transition to the chapter. Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem and the next task is to find food. They arrived during the barley harvest, so Ruth sets out to glean after the harvesters. As a vulnerable foreign widow, she will only work where the manager or owner gives her favor. Before long, Ruth finds herself at the field of Boaz, one of Naomi’s late husband’s kinsmen. When Boaz discovers who she is, he tells his harvesters to leave her in peace and to make sure she finds plenty to take home.
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“Ruth 2:1” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 2:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 2:1
Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz
Context Summary
Ruth 2:1–3 serves as a summary transition to the chapter. Naomi and Ruth are settled in Bethlehem and the next task is to find food. They arrived during the barley harvest, so Ruth sets out to glean after the harvesters. As a vulnerable foreign widow, she will only work where the manager or owner gives her favor. Before long, Ruth finds herself at the field of Boaz, one of Naomi’s late husband’s kinsmen. When Boaz discovers who she is, he tells his harvesters to leave her in peace and to make sure she finds plenty to take home.
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“Ruth 2:2” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 2:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 2:2
2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.”
She said to her, “Go, my daughter.”
Context Summary
Ruth 2:8–13 depicts Boaz meeting Ruth and giving her instructions. Ruth has come to his field to glean barley for herself and her mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz has heard how Ruth left behind her home and family to care for Naomi; he wants to do what he can to help. He tells Ruth to stay in his fields with his female servants and drink the water his male servants provide. Ruth is overwhelmed by Boaz’s considerations, but Boaz knows it’s the least he can do.
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“Ruth 2:8” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 2:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 2:8
8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens.
(Read Ruth 2:4-16)
The pious and kind language between Boaz and his reapers shows that there were godly persons in Israel. Such language as this is seldom heard in our field; too often, on the contrary, what is immoral and corrupt. A stranger would form a very different opinion of our land, from that which Ruth would form of Israel from the converse and conduct of Boaz and his reapers. But true religion will teach a man to behave aright in all states and conditions; it will form kind masters and faithful servants, and cause harmony in families. True religion will cause mutual love and kindness among persons of different ranks. It had these effects on Boaz and his men. When he came to them he prayed for them. They did not, as soon as he was out of hearing curse him, as some ill-natured servants that hate their master’s eye, but they returned his courtesy. Things are likely to go on well where there is such good-will as this between masters and servants. They expressed their kindness to each other by praying one for another. Boaz inquired concerning the stranger he saw, and ordered her to be well treated. Masters must take care, not only that they do no hurt themselves, but that they suffer not their servants and those under them to do wrong. Ruth humbly owned herself unworthy of favours, seeing she was born and brought up a heathen. It well becomes us all to think humbly of ourselves, esteeming others better than ourselves. And let us, in the kindness of Boaz to Ruth, note the kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ to poor sinners.
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Ruth 2 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Ruth 2:10
10 Then she fell on her face and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?”
Context Summary
Ruth 2:8–13 depicts Boaz meeting Ruth and giving her instructions. Ruth has come to his field to glean barley for herself and her mother-in-law Naomi. Boaz has heard how Ruth left behind her home and family to care for Naomi; he wants to do what he can to help. He tells Ruth to stay in his fields with his female servants and drink the water his male servants provide. Ruth is overwhelmed by Boaz’s considerations, but Boaz knows it’s the least he can do.
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“Ruth 2:11” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 2:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 2:11
11 Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father, your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before.
Context Summary
Ruth 3:1–5 highlights Naomi’s plan. Ruth has been gleaning Boaz’s fields throughout the barley and wheat harvests. She has more than enough to feed the two women for a year. But Naomi always wanted Ruth to find rest with a new husband (Ruth 1:9). She thinks Boaz will do nicely. She tells Ruth how to approach Boaz in a way that protects both their reputations. But Naomi doesn’t quite understand that Ruth has other priorities.
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“Ruth 3:2” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 3:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 3:2
2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
Context Summary
In Ruth 3:6–9, Ruth takes Naomi’s plan and tweaks it. Naomi has developed an elaborate scheme whereby Ruth can carefully approach Boaz and present herself as marriage material. Ruth follows the plan but adds that she expects Boaz, as Naomi’s relative, to generously provide for Naomi. Boaz is overwhelmed by Ruth’s selflessness and quickly agrees. He just has one problem: he is not the next legal option in line to care for Naomi.
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“Ruth 3:9” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 3:9 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 3:9
9 He said, “Who are you?”
She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”
Context Summary
In Ruth 3:10–15, Boaz presents his plan to make Ruth’s plan come to fruition. She has asked him to be Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer, to buy Naomi’s land and provide for her needs. Ruth has also proposed marriage and asked Boaz to give Naomi an heir who will inherit the land. Boaz is humbled by Ruth’s dedication to her mother-in-law, but there’s a problem—he is not the closest relative. He has to offer the plan to another man. If that man refuses, he will do everything Ruth says.
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“Ruth 3:10” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 3:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 3:10
10 He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich.
(Read Ruth 3:6-13)
What in one age or nation would be improper, is not always so in another age or another nation. Being a judge of Israel, Boaz would tell Ruth what she should do; also whether he had the right of redemption, and what methods must be taken, and what rites used, in order to accomplishing her marriage with him or another person. The conduct of Boaz calls for the highest praise. He attempted not to take advantage of Ruth; he did not disdain her as a poor, destitute stranger, nor suspect her of any ill intentions. He spoke honourably of her as a virtuous woman, made her a promise, and as soon as the morning arrived, sent her away with a present to her mother-in-law. Boaz made his promise conditional, for there was a kinsman nearer than he, to whom the right of redemption belonged.
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Ruth 3 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Ruth 3:11
11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman.
(Read Ruth 4:13-22)
Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation. Prayer to God attended the marriage, and praise to him attended the birth of the child. What a pity it is that pious language should not be more used among Christians, or that it should be let fall into formality! Here is the descent of David from Ruth. And the period came when Bethlehem-Judah displayed greater wonders than those in the history of Ruth, when the outcast babe of another forlorn female of the same race appeared, controlling the counsels of the Roman master of the world, and drawing princes and wise men from the east, with treasures of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh to his feet. His name shall endure for ever, and all nations shall call Him blessed. In that Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
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Ruth 4 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Ruth 4:13
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son.
Context Summary
Ruth 4:13–17 records the fulfillment of Ruth’s wishes and God’s plan for Naomi. Ruth and Boaz are married and have a son. He will be the heir of Naomi’s late husband, continuing his name and the ownership of his land. This lifts Naomi’s social stigma of not providing an heir, and the women of Bethlehem rejoice.
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“Ruth 4:14” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 4:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 4:14
14 The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel.
Context Summary
Ruth 4:13–17 records the fulfillment of Ruth’s wishes and God’s plan for Naomi. Ruth and Boaz are married and have a son. He will be the heir of Naomi’s late husband, continuing his name and the ownership of his land. This lifts Naomi’s social stigma of not providing an heir, and the women of Bethlehem rejoice.
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“Ruth 4:15” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 4:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 4:15
15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and sustain you in your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
Context Summary
Ruth 4:13–17 records the fulfillment of Ruth’s wishes and God’s plan for Naomi. Ruth and Boaz are married and have a son. He will be the heir of Naomi’s late husband, continuing his name and the ownership of his land. This lifts Naomi’s social stigma of not providing an heir, and the women of Bethlehem rejoice.
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“Ruth 4:17” BibleRef.com
What does Ruth 4:17 mean? | BibleRef.com
Ruth 4:17
17 The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
