Ruth: A Continental CommentaryThis volume provides a readable introduction to the narrative book of Ruth appropriate for the student, pastor, and scholar. LaCocque combines historical, literary, feminist, and liberationist approaches in an engaging synthesis. He argues that the book was written in the post-exilic period and that the author was a woman. Countering the fears and xenophobia of many in Jerusalem, the biblical author employed the notion of h.esed (kindness, loyalty, steadfast love), which transcends any national boundaries. LaCocque focuses on redemption and levirate marriage as the two legal issues that recur throughout the text of Ruth. Ruth comes from the despised people of Moab but becomes a model for Israel. Boaz, converted to the model of steadfast love, becomes both redeemer and levir for Ruth and thus fulfills the Torah. In the conclusion to his study, the author sketches some parallels with Jesus' hermeneutics of the Law as well as postmodern problems and solutions. |
Common terms and phrases
according ancient becomes Bethlehem Bible biblical Boaz Boaz's book of Ruth chapter character child Chilion Chron commentary contrast daughter daughter-in-law David Deut Deuteronomy Elimelek emphasize exile Exod expression Ezra and Nehemiah father fields of Moab final genealogy foreigner Fortress Press Genesis 38 glean gō'ēl harvest Hebrew hesed husband incest inclusio inheritance interpretation Israel Israelite Jewish Judah Judean judges Kates and Reimer kinsman LaCocque levirate marriage Linafelt Mahlon Malbim means mention Midrash Moab mother-in-law motif Naomi Naomi and Ruth narrative NRSV Numbers Obed Old Testament Orpah parallel Perez rabbis Rachel and Leah Rashi Reading Ruth redeem redemption role Ruth Rabbah Ruth the Moabite Ruth's sandal Sasson says Second Temple servant So-and-so Song of Songs story of Ruth Tamar term Theology threshing floor tion Torah verb verse widow women words Yeroḥam Yhwh young woman