Ruth is a short narrative highlighting loyalty and redemption. It tells how Ruth, a Moabite widow, remains faithful to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi. Her eventual marriage to Boaz underscores themes of kindness, inclusion, and God’s providence, and connects Ruth (a foreigner) into the lineage of King David.

Author: Unknown (Jewish tradition links it to Samuel, but authorship is not certain).

Date Written: Often dated to the 6th–5th century BCE.

Context: Set in the time of the Judges, Ruth may have been composed post-exile to emphasize inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan and to legitimize David’s ancestry through a storyline of devotion and divine guidance.