The story begins in Moab, a region east of the Dead Sea, with Naomi and her family leaving Bethlehem due to a famine. Moab was traditionally an enemy of Israel, and the marriage of Naomi’s sons to Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah, reflects the dire circumstances that forced this family to seek refuge outside their homeland. The deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons left her destitute and vulnerable, as a widow without male protection or support. This highlights the precarious position of women in ancient Near Eastern societies and sets the stage for Ruth’s extraordinary loyalty.

Returning to Bethlehem, Naomi and Ruth face the challenges of reintegration into a society that viewed Moabites with suspicion. Ruth’s decision to glean in the fields reflects both the provision for the poor in Israel’s law (Leviticus 19:9-10) and her willingness to work hard to support Naomi. Gleaning involved gathering leftover grain after the harvesters, a practice that provided sustenance for the marginalized but required humility and courage.

Boaz’s role as kinsman-redeemer involves the cultural practice of levirate marriage, where a close relative marries a widow to preserve the family line (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Boaz’s willingness to marry Ruth despite her Moabite heritage demonstrates his righteousness and the importance of family loyalty and social responsibility in Israelite culture. The legal proceedings at the town gate, where Boaz secures his right to marry Ruth, reflect the formal nature of property and inheritance transactions in ancient Israel.

The genealogy at the end of Ruth, linking Ruth and Boaz to David, suggests that the story was written or compiled after David’s rise to prominence, possibly during his reign or shortly thereafter. This historical context underscores Ruth’s significance not only as a story of personal redemption but also as part of the divine plan to establish the Davidic dynasty and, ultimately, the lineage of the Messiah.