Author
Nothing is known of the author of the book, though the book of Ruth stands in contrast to the book of Judges: Judges details the faithlessness of Israel and its leadership, while Ruth offers a vignette of faithfulness among common folks—even a Moabite woman.
Historical Setting
The opening statement of Ruth (1:1) embeds the events of the book in the chaotic era reflected in the book of Judges, when there was no central authority and “everyone did as they saw fit” (Jdg 21:25). Depending upon when the exodus occurred, the span can be either c. 1400–1050 BC or c. 1220–1050 BC. Not only was Israel embroiled in chaos, but most of the ancient world was as well. Egypt, the Hittite Empire and Mesopotamia were in general decline; Greece was undergoing political upheaval, and the Sea Peoples (which included the Philistines) were wreaking havoc in the Mediterranean basin. The reasons for these disruptions are difficult to determine, but environmental stresses of some kind, in conjunction with a flurry of earthquakes, may have contributed to the situation. The deterioration of the major superpowers allowed a number of smaller peoples and states to germinate in the Levant. Among them are the Moabites, Phoenicians, Syrians, Ammonites, Philistines and, of course, the Israelites. ◆
Key Concepts
• Faithfulness generates faithfulness.
• David’s ancestry was populated by faithful people.