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RUTH

THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES

© Harvestime International Network

http://www.harvestime.org

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 THE LEGACY BIBLE OUTLINE SERIES
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series outlines books of the Bible in simple format, providing commentary only as needed to
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For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line…
(Isaiah 28:10, KJV)

...His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones!...
(Jeremiah 20:9, NLT)

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Number

Introduction To The Book Of Ruth 4

Outline Of The Book Of Ruth

Chapter 1 6
Chapter 2 11
Chapter 3 15
Chapter 4 19

Supplemental Studies 23

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 INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF RUTH
AUTHOR: Unknown. The book is named for Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of a Jewish
woman named Naomi.

TO WHOM: Israel.

PURPOSES: The book is a typology of the redemption Jesus Christ provides for believers.
Boaz is a type of our kinsman-redeemer. The book illustrates God’s providence, sovereignty, and
His invitation for salvation for all people. The book has been called “The Romance Of
Redemption.” Ruth also provides a historical record that traces the genealogy of Christ.

KEY VERSES: And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after
thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be
my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord
do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1:16-17)

LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God can take bitter experiences of life and transform
them into something beautiful.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Naomi (Mara), Elimelech, Mahlon, Chilion, Orpha, Ruth, Boaz, an
unnamed kinsman, and Obed.

A BRIEF OUTLINE:
I. Introduction: 1:1-2
II. Moab: 1:3-5
III. The return trip to Bethlehem: 1:6-18
IV. Arrival in Bethlehem: 1:19-22
V. Ruth in the fields of Boaz: 2:1-23
VI. Naomi’s plan and its fulfillment: 3:1-18
VII. The redemption: 4:1-12
VIII. The union of Ruth and Boaz: 4:13-17
IX. The genealogy of David: 4:17-22

STUDY SUGGESTION:
The book of Ruth can be studied for its historical perspective as it provides links in the
genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It can also be studied for practical applications to your life.
The book also has insights in terms of prophetic patterns, specifically in terms of the kinsman-
redeemer revelation. Since the book is only four chapters, study it through at least three times
using each of these emphases.

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QUESTIONS ON THE INTRODUCTION:
1. Who was the author of the book?
2. To whom was the book written?
3. State the purposes for the book.
4. Write the key verses.
5. State the life and ministry principle of the book.
6. Who are the main characters?
7. Give a brief outline of the book.
8. What are three different methods for studying the book of Ruth?

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 Ruth 1

1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the
land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he,
and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name
of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into
the country of Moab, and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and
the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons
and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of
Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people
in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law
with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house:
the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then
she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any
more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should
say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having
husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the
Lord is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but
Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods:
return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for
whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more
also, if ought but death part thee and me.
18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto
her.
19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were
come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt
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very bitterly with me.
21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me
Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which
returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of
barley harvest.

Outline 1:
I. Introduction: The setting and characters. (1-2)
A. When: The story occurs in the time when the judges ruled.
(See Judges 17:6 for a summary of the sinful conditions that existed at that time.
This was after the death of Joshua and before Israel had a king. Everyone was
doing what they thought was right instead of what God said was right. This is why
God sent famine as a judgment. The Midianites oppressed Israel during this time,
and their attacks included stealing the produce and the harvests.)
B. Where: The family lived in Bethlehem Judah where a famine was occurring.
(Famine was used by God in the Old Testament for chastisement of His people--
2 Kings 8:1; Jeremiah 16:3-13; Ezekiel 5:11-17. This was a serious famine that
extended over the whole land, otherwise they could have just gone to another
region of Israel instead of leaving the country.)
C. What occurred: Because of the famine, a man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi,
and two sons Mahlon and Chilion (Ephrathites) went to Moab and continued
there. (Moab was about 50 miles from Bethlehem on the opposite side of the
Dead Sea. The word “Bethlehem” means house of bread. The house of bread in
time of famine is better than the plenty in Moab which represents enemy territory.
Naomi would lose her husband and two sons in Moab and she would not return
home to Bethlehem for 10 years.)
II. Life in Moab. (3-5)
A. The death of Elimelech (his name means “God is my king”).
B. The marriage of the sons to Moabite women, Orpha and Ruth.
(Marriage between Israelites and Gentiles was forbidden: 2 Kings 8;1; Jeremiah
16:3-13; Ezekiel 5:11-17. Orpha means gazelle and Ruth means desirable.
Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah.)
C. The death of the sons: After ten years of residency in Moab, Mahlon and Chilion
died. (Mahlon means sick and Chilion means pining. Perhaps these young men
had health issues since birth. All of the men Naomi depended on died. Her only
hope was in God.)
III. The return trip to Bethlehem. (6-18)
A. Naomi arose with her daughters-in-law, planning to return to Bethlehem from
Moab.
B. She decided to return because she had heard that the Lord had visited His people
in Judah giving them bread. (Meaning the time of chastisement by famine had
ended.)
C. Naomi’s appeal to her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab.
1. Go, return each to your mother's house. (Moab was a polygamous society
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 so they would return to the houses of their mothers since their fathers
might have numerous wives.)
2. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with
me.
3. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her
husband (assuming that they would remarry).
4. She kissed them and they lifted up their voices and wept.
D. Their initial response to Naomi’s appeal: “Surely we will return with you unto
your people.”
E. Naomi’s argument.
1. Turn again (go back), my daughters: Why will you go with me?
2. Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your
husbands?
3. Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an
husband.
4. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also tonight, and
should also bear sons: Would you tarry for them till they were grown?
Would you wait for them from having husbands? (In the natural, it was
better for the women to remain in Moab. Since Israelites hated Moabites,
chances of them finding a husband were better in Moab. Financially it was
more secure, as they could return to live with their mothers. Sometimes
there appears to be no future if we choose to go God’s way.)
5. No, my daughters; for it grieves me much for your sakes that the hand of
the Lord is gone out against me. (Naomi knew that nothing could come
into her life unless it passed through her Lord first, which is true in our
own difficult circumstances as well.)
F. Orpha’s response. She weeps, kisses her mother-in-law, and returns to Moab.
(Sadly, Orpha was not only returning to her people, but also to their gods. She
made a spiritual decision. Many people are like Orpha. They have affection for
Christ, start out to walk with Him, but return to the old life because they cannot
forsake all to follow Him. Orpha sheds tears, but not tears of true repentance.
She went back to enemy territory and the land of idolatry and we never hear of
her again.)
G. Naomi encourages Ruth to do as Orpha has done. Ruth's response.

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for
whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy
people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die,
and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought
but death part thee and me.

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 Ruth’s decision:
1. She does not want to leave Naomi.
(An example of cleaving to Christ).
2. She will go where Naomi goes.
(An example of following Christ.)
3. She will live where Naomi lives.
(An example of dwelling perpetually with Him.)
4. Naomi's people shall be hers.
(An example of uniting with His people.)
5. Naomi's God shall be her God.
(Christ’s Father God is our Father God. Ruth uses the name for the true
God, rather than Chemosh, the Moabite god. She knew that
despite all Naomi had gone through, she was faithful to the God of
Israel. Ruth chooses to serve Naomi’s God.)
6. She will remain faithful to death (for the remainder of her life).
(We, also, must remain faithful until death.)

(Ruth goes through the same steps we must experience when we come to Christ.
She accepts the invitation, abandons her past, acknowledges the true God, and
aligns herself with the people of God and Jesus Christ for the rest of her life.

This was a difficult decision, as the Israelites hated the Moabites. Ruth was
leaving all she knew to go to a land and people she did not know. You must leave
the old life behind also, if you are to fully embrace God’s plan for your life.)

H. Naomi’s decision. When she saw that Ruth was steadfastly minded (determined)
to go with her, then she left speaking unto her (she stopped trying to persuade her
to remain in Moab).

(Ruth was a Moabite descended from Moab, a son of Lot by an incestuous union with his
eldest daughter: Genesis 19:37. The Moabites practiced prostitution and child sacrifice.
They worshiped the false god, Chemosh, and had hostile relations with Israel. Moab
blocked Israel’s way to the promised land: Exodus 15:15; they were unfriendly: Judges
11:17; enslaved Israel: Judges 3:12-14; and were denounced as an enemy of God: Isaiah
15. This is why Ruth’s commitment to remain with Naomi and move to Bethlehem was so
significant. As a Moabite, she was risking rejection, poverty, and the possibility she
would never have the opportunity to remarry.)

IV. Arrival in Bethlehem. (19-22)

A. Reception by the city
1. The whole city was moved. (Perhaps because of Naomi’s grief-stricken
appearance and/or because of the Moabite woman with her.)
2. They questioned if this was truly Naomi.

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 B. Naomi's response.
1. She told them to no longer call her Naomi (meaning sweet or pleasant),
but rather Mara (which means bitter) because the Almighty had dealt
bitterly with her. (She realized that all that had occurred in her life was
not mere chance, but was the hand of God at work in her tragic
circumstances.)
2. She said she went out full and the Lord brought her home empty.
(Her use of the word “Lord” speaks of the sufficiency of God. She is
saying, “I am in need, but God is sufficient”–for my loss, for my
bitterness, for everything.)
3. She declared that the Lord had testified against her and the Almighty had
afflicted her. (She perceived all that happened to her as coming from her
Lord. Nothing comes into our lives without coming through Him first.
Like Naomi, we may not understand our circumstances and be grieved, but
like Naomi we must still acknowledge Him as sovereign God.)
C. The timing of their return: The beginning of barley harvest (late March or April).

Study questions on chapter 1:

1. When does this story occur? (1)
2. Why did Elimelech and his family leave Bethlehem? (1)
3. Where did the family go? (1)
4. What tragedy is recorded in verse 3?
5. Who did Naomi’s sons marry? (4)
6. What tragedies are recorded in verse 5?
7. Why did Naomi decide to return to Judah? (6)
8. Who originally left with Naomi to make the journey back to Judah? (7)
9. What did Naomi try to persuade her daughters-in-law to do after the deaths of their
husbands? (8)
10. What blessing did Naomi speak over her daughters-in-law? (8-9)
11. What was the initial decision of both daughters-in-law in verse 10?
12. What reasons did Naomi give to try to convince her daughters-in-law to return to Moab?
(11-13)
13. How did Naomi describe her relationship with God in verse 13 and why did she feel this
way?
14. What was Orpha’s decision? (14)
15. What did Naomi say concerning Orpah’s return and what did she entreat Ruth to do? (15)
16. Why did Ruth decide to stay with Naomi? (16)
17. Summarize Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and her God. (16-17)
18. What made Naomi accept Ruth’s decision? (18)
19. How did the people of Bethlehem react to Naomi’s return? (19)
20. Why did Naomi refer to herself as Mara? What does Mara mean? (20-21)
21. How did Naomi describe her present situation? (13,20-21)
22. In what season did Naomi and Ruth return to Judah? (22)
23. What did you learn in this chapter to apply to your life and ministry?
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 Ruth 2

1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of
Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of
corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.
3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to
light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with
you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.
5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?
6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish
damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:
7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so
she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in
the house.
8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another
field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:
9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not
charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto
the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.
10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have
I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a
stranger?
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast
done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy
father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou
knewest not heretofore.
12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me,
and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one
of thine handmaidens.
14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy
morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn,
and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her
glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may
glean them, and rebuke her not.
17 So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was
about an ephah of barley.
18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had
gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was
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sufficed.
19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where
wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her
mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I
wrought to day is Boaz.
20 And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left
off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of
kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young
men, until they have ended all my harvest.
22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out
with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.
23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of
wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Outline 2:
I. Introduction of Boaz. (1,4-5)
A. He was a kinsman of Naomi’s husband.
B. He was a mighty man of wealth, with servants.
C. He was of the family of Elimelech (a relative of Naomi’s husband).
D. He lived in Bethlehem.
(His name means “in him there is strength”.)
II. Ruth’s plan to glean in the fields. (1-3)
A. Ruth tells Naomi that she wants to glean the fields and Naomi approves.
(The law of gleaning: Gleaning was a welfare system to care for the poor. Land
owners were allowed to make one pass through their fields during harvest and
what was left was to be gleaned by the poor. Note that it was not just given to
them—they had to work for it, unlike many of our modern systems of welfare. The
law of gleaning is recorded in Leviticus 19:9-10; 23:22; and Deuteronomy 24:19-
22.)
B. Ruth “happens” onto the fields of Boaz.
(There are no accidents or happenstances in God’s plan. The fact that she
“happened” on those fields meant she didn’t plan it herself. While waiting on
God, she did what needed to be done in order to survive. Even the details of life—
like gathering food--are profitable when done for the glory of God:
1 Corinthians 10:31. God moves in the midst of the routines of your everyday life
as He did in the lives of Moses, Gideon, and Elisha. He is behind the scenes
working through the circumstances of your life.)
III. In the fields of Boaz. (4-17)
A. Boaz arrives and exchanges greetings with the reapers.
B. Boaz asks a servant about Ruth.
C. The servant responds:
1. Ruth is a Moabite woman.
2. She came from Moab to Bethlehem with Naomi, her mother-in-law.

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 3. She had requested permission to glean after the reapers.
(We are not told the name of the servant who introduced Ruth to Boaz, simply that he was
the foreman of the field workers. This is an analogy of the Holy Spirit who does not speak
of Himself, but of Christ: John 6:13. It is the Holy Spirit who prepares and presents the
Bride to Christ.)

D. Boaz charges Ruth:

1. Do not glean in another field. (To reach your destiny, stay faithful in
reaping the field in which you are placed.)
2. Abide here fast by my maidens.
3. Let your eyes be on the fields they reap and go after them.
4. I have charged the young men not to touch you.
5. When you are thirsty, drink the water drawn by the young men.
6. When you are hungry, come and eat with the other workers.
(Boaz provides both provision and protection, as does our spiritual Kinsman-
Redeemer as we reap the spiritual harvest fields of the world.)
E. Ruth‘s response:
1. She fell on her face.
2. She bowed herself to the ground.
3. She said to him, “Why have I found grace in your eyes and why should
you take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?”
(Why? Grace is the reason. The same reason we, who are aliens spiritually, are
received by Christ.)
F. Boaz’s answer: It has been fully shown to me all you have done.
1. What you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your
husband.
2. How you left your father, mother, and your birthplace.
3. How you came to a people which you did not know before.
4. May the Lord recompense your work and a full reward be given you of the
Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust.
(We must leave the world and our past behind in order to abide with our
spiritual mother, the Church.)
G. Ruth’s response to Boaz: “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have
comforted me and spoken friendly to me even though I am not like one of your
handmaidens.”
H. Boaz commands the workers to let Ruth glean even among the sheaves and to let
handfuls fall on purpose for her. (Normally, a gleaner could not glean this close to
the workers. Boaz also had the workers drop handfuls of grain on purpose for
her.)
IV. The return home to Naomi. (17-22)
A. Ruth returns to Naomi with an ephah (about half a bushel) of barley, plus what
she had left over from her lunch.
B. Naomi questions Ruth:
1. Where have you gleaned today?
2. Where did you work?
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 3. Blessed is he that took knowledge of you.

C. Ruth’s answer: She worked in the fields of Boaz and he told her to remain
reaping there until the end of the harvest.
D. Naomi’s response:
1. Blessed be he of the Lord who has not left off his kindness to the living
and dead.
2. The man is our near kinsman.
3. Continue to go with his maidens and do not work in any other field.
(Naomi recognized Boaz as a near kinsman who could perform the duties of a
kinsman-redeemer in their behalf. Read Leviticus 25:25-55 for the law
concerning the kinsman-redeemer.)
V. Ruth continues her labors. (23)
A. She stays close to the maidens of Boaz.
B. She gleans through the end of the barley and wheat harvests.
C. She remains with her mother-in-law.

Study questions on chapter 2:

1. What do you learn about Boaz in verses 1 and 4-5?
2. How did Ruth provide for herself and her mother-in-law? (2-3)
3. What did Boaz question upon his arrival in the fields? (4-5)
4. How did Boaz’s foreman describe Ruth? Who does the foreman represent spiritually?
(6-7)
5. What instructions did Boaz give to Ruth and how did she respond? (8-10,14)
6. What danger did Ruth face in gleaning the fields and how did Boaz protect her? (9)
7. What had Boaz heard regarding the sacrifices Ruth had made to remain with her mother-
in-law? (11)
8. What blessing did Boaz speak over Ruth? (12)
9. What was Ruth’s response in verse 13?
10. What instructions did Boaz give the workers regarding Ruth? (15-16)
11. What were the results of Ruth’s labors? (17-18)
12. What questions did Naomi ask in verse 19 and what was Ruth’s response?
13. What advice did Naomi give to Ruth? (20-23)
14. How did Ruth respond to Naomi’s advice? (23)
15. What did you learn in this chapter to apply to your life and ministry? Use outline notes I
B in your answer.

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 Ruth 3

1 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee,
that it may be well with thee?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he
winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee
down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done
eating and drinking.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and
thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou
shalt do.
5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade
her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the
end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and,
behold, a woman lay at his feet.
9 And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread
therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.
10 And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more
kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young
men, whether poor or rich.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city
of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer
than I.
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part
of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a
kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down
until the morning.
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know
another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
15 Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it,
he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she
told her all that the man had done to her.
17 And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty
unto thy mother in law.
18 Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the
man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

15
Outline 3:
I. Naomi’s plan. (1-4)
A. Her desire: Rest for her daughter-in-law, that it might be well with her.
(Naomi wanted Ruth to find a husband, be settled, and be provided for.)
B. Naomi’s plan.
1. Go to Boaz, our kinsman, where he is winnowing barley on the threshing
floor.
(The threshing floor was constructed in the fields in the open air to get full
benefit of the wind. It was a level, circular area, 25 to 40 feet in diameter
with a border of stone to keep grain in the area. Donkeys or other animals
were tied abreast and driven around the floor to trample the grain.
Winnowing consisted of taking the grain after it was trampled and
pitching it into the wind so the chaff blew away. The threshing floor was
an open place, so the events of Ruth 3 took place in public. It was the
custom for workers and their families to sleep on the threshing floor until
the harvest was safely reaped so it could not be stolen by an enemy.)
2. Wash, anoint yourself, change your clothes, and go to the threshing floor.
(Symbolic of our coming to Christ:
-Washing: Regeneration by the water of the Word: Titus 3:5.
-Anointing: Anointing of the Spirit: 1 John 2:20,27;
1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
-Changing your raiment: Ruth changed out of her garments of
mourning. When you come to Christ, you must change out
of the garments of your past. Believers must put on:
-The whole armor of God: Ephesians 6:11-18
-The garment of salvation: Isaiah 61:10;
-The garment of praise: Isaiah 6l:3
-The robe of righteousness: Isaiah 6l:l0
-The garment of humility: 1 Peter 5:5
-The garment of power: Luke 24:49
-The clothing of love: Colossians 3:14
-The nature of God: Colossians 3:12
-The new man: Ephesians 4:24
-Jesus Christ: Romans 13:14)
-Going down to the threshing floor: Let Him know you want Him
to redeem you. He has the right to do so, but you must initiate the
process by accepting His offer of redemption.)
3. When Boaz lies down, uncover his feet, lay down there, and he will tell
you what to do. (Spiritually, if you wait in the presence of the Lord, you
will know what to do.)
II. Ruth’s response. (5-6)
A. All you say to me, I will do.
B. She went down to the floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had
said.

16
III. On the threshing floor. (7-15)
A. When Boaz had eaten, drank, and his heart was merry, he laid down at the end of
the heap of corn.
B. After Boaz was asleep, Ruth came, uncovered his feet, and laid down.
(Culturally, she was taking the position of a servant.)
C. Sometime after midnight, Boaz startled awake and found Ruth there.
D. He inquired who she was, and Ruth responded:
1. She said she was his handmaiden (the word used means she is eligible
for marriage).
2. She said he was a near kinsman.
(When Elimelech left Bethlehem, he either lost his property by
indebtedness or sold it. When one lost or sold property, the title deed
would include the rules for redemption by the original owner. Every 50
years, in the year of Jubilee, land was to be returned to its original owner.
In between the years of Jubilee, property could be returned through
redemption by a near kinsman. The law of redemption is found in
Leviticus 25:47-55. The law of the Levirate marriage is found in
Deuteronomy 25:5-10.)
3. She asked him to spread the hem of his garment over her.
(This was symbolic of him accepting her under his care and authority. In
New Testament times, the woman with the issue of blood who needed
healing sought to touch the hem of Christ’s garment. There is great
symbolism in the hem of the garment, which most likely refers to the
prayer shawl worn by Jewish men. See Ezekiel 16:8.)
E. Boaz’s blessing:
1. You are blessed, my daughter.
2. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than the beginning, in that
you did not follow after young men, whether poor or rich. (If Ruth had
married a young man unrelated to Naomi, then Naomi could not have
reclaimed the property of her dead husband through the law of
redemption. Through the son that would be born to Ruth and Boaz, the
land could be reclaimed.)
3. It is true I am your kinsman, but there is one nearer than I (a problem that
must be resolved).
4. Tarry tonight and in the morning if he will assume his responsibility fine;
if not, I will do the part of a kinsman to you.
F. Ruth lay at his feet until morning, departing early before one could know another.
(She left early in the morning while it was still dark.)
1. Boaz said, “Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.”
2. Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barley to take home with her.
(God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. By giving
six measures of barley to Ruth, it was symbolic that the transaction was

17
 complete, that it was a “done deal”. She could rest in the assurance of her
kinsman-redeemer.)
IV. The return to Naomi. (16-18)
A. When Ruth came to her mother in law, Naomi asked, “Who are you, my
daughter?” (When she asks, “Who are you,” she is asking how Ruth has fared,
what has transpired. It is like saying, “What’s happening?”)
B. Ruth tells Naomi all that has occurred.
C. Ruth shows the six measures of barley Boaz gave her so she would not go empty-
handed back to Naomi.
D. Naomi’s response:
1. Sit still until you know how the matter will be resolved. (There is a time
to wait on God and not rush ahead of His plan. Learn to recognize when it
time for a divine delay.)
2. The man will not rest until he has finished the thing this day.
(Like Boaz, Jesus Christ did not rest until our redemption was
finished.)

Study questions on chapter 3:

1. What instructions did Naomi give to Ruth in verses 1-4?
2. What was Ruth’s response to her mother-in-law’s instructions? (5-6)
3. How did Ruth respond to Boaz when he discovered her at his feet? (7-9)
4. Why was Boaz willing to fulfill his obligation as kinsman-redeemer? (10-12)
5. What reputation did Ruth have in the town? (11)
6. What problem did Boaz foresee in the redemption process? (12)
7. What did Boaz tell Ruth to do? Why? (13-14)
8. Why did Ruth depart early the next morning? (14)
9. In what way did Boaz show kindness to Naomi? (15-17)
10. What advice did Naomi give Ruth in verse 18?
11. What did you learn in this chapter to apply to your life and ministry?

18
 Ruth 4

1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of
whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.
And he turned aside, and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat
down.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab,
selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the
elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then
tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.
And he said, I will redeem it.
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it
also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his
inheritance.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance:
redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning
changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his
neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I
have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand
of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to
raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off
from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord
make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did
build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed
which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave
her conception, and she bare a son.
14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day
without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy
daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi;
and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
19
19 And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
20 And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
21 And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
22 And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Outline 4:
I. The place of redemption. (1-2)
A. Boaz went to the city gate and met the near kinsman. (The near kinsman was
probably a brother of Elimelech, Naomi’s former husband)
B. Ten elders were called as witnesses. (The gates of the city were similar to our
court house or town hall. It was the location where business and legal matters
were transacted. Ten was the minimum number of participants to make a
transaction legal, the number required in the synagogue.)
II. The redemption. (3-6)
A. Boaz’s first approach.
1. He told the kinsman:
a. Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, is wanting
to reclaim a parcel of land which was Elimelech's.
b. I thought I should let you know to buy it before the inhabitants and
before the elders of my people.
c. If you will redeem it, redeem it: but if you will not redeem it, then
tell me, that I may know: For there is none to redeem it beside you;
and I am after you (next in line to redeem it).
2 The kinsman’s initial response: I will redeem it.
B. Boaz’s second approach.
1. He told the kinsman: What day you buy the field of the hand of Naomi,
you must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise
up the name of the dead upon his inheritance. (He would be required to
marry Ruth and have a son.)
2. The kinsman’s second response:
a. I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance.
b. You redeem my right, for I cannot redeem it.
(He refused to serve as kinsman-redeemer, because if he married Ruth and
they had a son, a portion of his property would go to Elimelech’s house
instead of his own sons. The property laws with which the unnamed
kinsman was concerned are given in Leviticus 25:23.)
III. The confirmation of the redemption. (7-12)
A. It was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and changing,
that to confirm all things a man plucked off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor.
This was considered a binding testimony in Israel. (This would be like shaking
hands to confirm an agreement as many cultures do in modern times.)
B. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
(The transfer of the property was confirmed by giving one’s shoe to the one
redeeming the property. This custom arose from the fact that property was taken
possession of by treading on the soil, as Abraham did in Genesis 13:17 and as
20
 Joshua was commanded to do in Joshua 1:3. Thus, taking off the shoe and
handing it to another was a symbol of the transfer of property rights.)
C. And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people:
1. You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and
all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.
2. Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be
my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the
name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the
gate of his place. You are witnesses this day. (The obligations of the
near kinsman relationship are outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. The
kinsman had to meet certain requirements. Boaz met these, as did our
spiritual redeemer Jesus Christ:
-He must be a near kinsman: Leviticus 25:25; Galatians 4:4-5.
-He must be willing to redeem: Leviticus 25:48-49;
Hebrews 2:11.
-He must have the ability to redeem: John 10:11-18.
-He must have the price of redemption: John 10:11-18.
Boaz met all of these requirements for Ruth. Jesus met all these
requirements as the Redeemer of sinful humanity. In Revelation chapter
5, our Kinsman-Redeemer opens the document that confirms our
redemption.)

(Prophetic typologies in the book of Ruth: Boaz is symbolic of our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus
Christ. The “servant” who presented Ruth to Boaz is symbolic of the Holy Spirit who presents
the Bride to Christ: John 16:13. The unnamed kinsman is symbolic of the law, which could not
redeem us: Romans 3:20. Naomi is symbolic of Israel, and Ruth symbolic of the Bride of Christ.)

D. All the people and the elders that were at the gate said, “We are witnesses.”
E. The blessing by the witnesses:
1. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and
like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel (the two wives of Jacob,
the mothers of the nation of Israel).
2. May you do worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem.
3. Let your house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah,
of the seed which the Lord shall give you of this young woman.
(See Supplemental Studies for further study of the prophetic meaning of
this passage.)
IV. The union of Ruth and Boaz. (13)
A. Boaz took Ruth as his wife.
B. The Lord gave her conception and she bare a son. (This indicates that Ruth may
have been barren before, as she was childless in her previous marriage.)
V. Blessing of the village women. (14-15)
A. Blessed be the Lord, which has not left you without a kinsman, that his name may
be famous in Israel.
B. He shall be a restorer of your life and a nourisher of your old age.
21
 C. Your daughter-in-law, who loves you, is better to you than seven sons.
(Seven is the number of perfection in the Bible. Seven sons is symbolic of the
perfect family.)
VI. Naomi nurses the child. (16)
(The word used for “nurse” here does not mean wet nurse. It means a guardian or a
nanny.)
VII. The generations of Pharez. (17-22)
A. Pharez (Genesis 38).
B. Hezron (Genesis 46:12; Numbers 26;21).
C. Ram (1 Chronicles 2:9).
D. Amminadab (Exodus 6:23).
E. Nahshon (Exodus 6;23; Numbers 1:7; 2:3; 7:12,17; 10:14).
F. Salmon (1Chronicles 2:10-11;2:51,54. Married Rahab).
G. Boaz (book of Ruth).
H. Obed (son birthed to Boaz and Ruth).
I. Jesse (son of Obed).
J. David (son of Jesse).
(This passage is important, as it confirms the genealogy of Jesus Christ who was
to come from the lineage of David and the house of Judah.)

(A final thought: The events in Ruth took place during the period of the Judges, a time when
everyone was living their own lifestyles and doing what they thought right instead of what God
said was right. There was sinful disorder everywhere. This sounds like the days in which we live,
so we must follow Ruth’s example and do as she did: We must ignore the chaos of the world
around us and keep our eyes focused on the harvest field to which God has called us.)

Study questions on chapter 4:

1. Summarize the events described in verses 1-12.
2. How did Boaz adhere to Jewish tradition in dealing with the kinsman-redeemer? (1-12)
3. What strategy did Boaz use with the kinsman-redeemer and what effect did it have? (3-6)
4. Why did the kinsman-redeemer decline to buy the land? (6)
5. What significance was there in the kinsman removing his sandal? To whom did he give it
and why? (7-8)
6. Why was it important for this transaction to take place at the town gate? (9-10)
7. What blessing was pronounced by the elders on the marriage of Boaz and Ruth?(11-12)
8. How did God bless the union of Ruth and Boaz? (13)
9. Why did the women of Bethlehem say Ruth was better than seven sons to Naomi? (15)
10. What role did Naomi play in Obed’s life? (16)
11. Explain the importance of verses 18-20 in regards to the lineage of Jesus Christ.
12. Using the outline notes, explain the prophetic symbolism of: Boaz, his servant, the
unnamed kinsman, Naomi, and Ruth
13. Using the outline notes in III C2, list the requirements that must be met by the kinsman-
redeemer.
14. What did you learn in this chapter to apply to your life and ministry?

22
 SUPPLEMENTAL STUDIES
1. For further background on the period during which the events of the book of Ruth
occurred, study the Legacy Bible Outline on the book of Judges.

2. Study the character of Ruth. She was:

-Loving, committed: 1:16-17
-Steadfast: 1:18
-Humble: 2:2
-Temperate: 2:14
-Accountable: 2:18-19
-Faithful: 2:23
-Obedient: 3:5
-Submissive: 3:10
-Focused on eternal values: 3:10
-Concerned about the appearance of evil: 3:14
-Patient: 3:18

3. Seven marriages in the Bible depict the relationship between Christ and the Church:
-Adam and Eve
-Isaac and Rebekah
-Joseph and Asenath
-Moses and Zipporah
-Ruth and Boaz
-David and Abigail
-Solomon and the maiden in Song of Solomon

4. Ruth’s advancement: No matter who you are, what your history, or what others think of
you, if you faithfully serve God He will raise you up to fulfill your destiny. Note Ruth’s
progression as reflected in references to her and their meanings in Hebrew:

-In Ruth 2:10, Ruth was first called a foreigner: 2:10.

-In Ruth 2:13, the term used to refer to Ruth means lower than a servant.
-In Ruth 3:9, she is a maidservant, meaning one who is eligible for marriage.
-In Ruth 4:23, she is the wife, the beloved bride of Boaz.

In our spiritual progression, we come to God as foreigners who are alienated by sin.
Through salvation, we become His servants, but we are more than servants. We are part
of the beloved Bride of Jesus Christ.

23
5. Ruth was one of four women mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew l. The
others are Tamar (Matthew 1:3); Rahab (1:5); and Bathsheba (1:6). All are there by the
grace of God.

Tamar: The fact that she is included in Christ’s genealogy reveals that God can use any
person or situation to accomplish His will—even negative, tragic, disgusting things that
happen in life. Read her story in Genesis 38.

Rahab: Her inclusion reveals that God can use those who society considers as lower-
class outcasts. Her story is in Joshua 2; 6:17,23,25.

Ruth: Her inclusion shows that God is no respecter of persons, for as an alien she is
accepted in Christ’s family. Her story is in the book of Ruth

Bathsheba: Her inclusion confirms that God redeems and forgives and can bring good
out of our worst choices. Read her story in 2 Samuel 11.

6. In Ruth 4:12, this prophetic blessing is spoken over Naomi: “And let thy house be like
the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give
thee of this young woman.” To understand this, study Genesis 38 using the following
outline and commentary.

Genesis 38:

I. Judah marries Shua. (1-5)

A. It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a
certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah. (The fact that Judah
"departed from his brothers" may mean that they had a falling out after the
incident with Joseph.)
B. And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua,
and he married her and went in to her.
1. So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er.
2. She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan.
3. And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah.
4. Judah was at Chezib when she bore him.
II. Er and Onan are wed to Tamar. (6-11)
A. Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.
B. But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord killed
him. ("In the sight of the Lord" is an important phrase. Er's conduct
may have been acceptable by the culture, but it was not acceptable to God. We are
not told his specific sin.)
C. And Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up
an heir to your brother." (This was a custom of the time: A man was to marry
the childless widow of his brother and the first son of their union was
24
legally considered the child of the dead man and would inherit his property. In
this way, property would remain in the tribe or family to which it had been allotted
and a widow would receive adequate provision. See Deuteronomy 25:5-10.)
D. But Onan knew that the heir would not be his, so when he went in to his brother's
wife he emitted (the semen) on the ground, lest he should give an heir to
his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He
killed him also. (Onan's sin lay in his unwillingness to father a child for his dead
brother according to the Levitical law, not for using this as a birth-control
method. See Deuteronomy 25:5-10.)
E. Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law: "Remain a widow in your father's
house till my son Shelah is grown, lest he also die like his brothers."
(Judah promised that Tamar could marry Shelah when he was grown.
But Judah had already lost two sons and feared he might lose another one, so
he did not keep his promise. Tamar couldn't just find another man to marry
because she was under the authority of her father-in-law, Judah, and he had the
right to determine whoand when she could marry.)
F. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house. (She would remain a widow.)
III. Tamar and Judah. (12-23)
A. Now in the process of time the daughter of Shua, Judah's wife, died. And Judah
was comforted, and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his
friend Hirah the Adullamite.
B. And it was told Tamar, saying, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah
to shear his sheep."
1. So she took off her widow's garments, covered herself with a veil,
wrapped herself (in disguise), and sat in an open place which was
on the way to Timnah. (This suggests that prostitutes wore distinctive
dress that made them easily recognizable. Be careful how you dress!)
2. For she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given to him as a
wife.
C. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a harlot, because she had covered her
face.
1. Then he turned to her by the way, and said, "Please let me come in to
you"--for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. (He
did not recognize her, possibly because it was customary for
prostitutes to remain veiled.)
2. So she said, "What will you give me, that you may come in to me?"
3. And he said, "I will send a young goat from the flock."
4. So she said, "Will you give me a pledge till you send it?"
5. Then he said, "What pledge shall I give you?"
6. So she said, "Your signet and cord, and your staff that is in your hand."
(These were important items of personal identification. The signet,
especially, as it was used as a seal to verify important documents.)
7. Then he gave them to her, and went in to her, and she conceived by him.
D. So she arose and went away, and laid aside her veil, and put on the garments of
her widowhood. (Why would Tamar do this? Because in that culture
25
there was less shame associated with being an unwed mother than in being a
childless widow. Children also provided security for the future as they
cared for aging parents. Since her child would be by Judah, Tamar would
be entitled to benefits from his clan.)
E. And Judah sent the young goat by the hand of his friend the Adullamite, to
receive his pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her.
1. Then he asked the men of that place, saying, "Where is the harlot who was
openly by the roadside?"
2. And they said, "There was no harlot in this place."
3. So he returned to Judah and said:
a. I cannot find her.
b. Also, the men of the place said there was no harlot in this place.
F. Then Judah said:
1. Let her take them for herself, lest we be shamed.
2. For I sent this young goat and you have not found her.
(Judah didn't want to be caught looking for a harlot, so he decided to let her
keep the tokens that he had left her. He was more concerned about public
exposure of his sin than observing God's law.)
IV. Tamar confronts Judah. (24-26)
A. And it came to pass, about three months after this, that Judah was told, saying:
1. Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot.
2. Furthermore she is with child by harlotry.
B. So Judah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned!" (Judah was quick to
condemn sin in others, but not so quick to acknowledge sin in his own
life.)
C. When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying:
1. By the man to whom these belong, I am with child.
2. Please determine whose these are--the signet, the cord, and staff.
D. So Judah acknowledged them and said: "She has been more righteous than I,
because I did not give her to Shelah my son." (Tamar was securing the
inheritance rights of her family. Judah had failed twice: First, by
adultery. Second, by failing to fulfill his responsibilities as head of the clan.)
E. And he never knew her again. (They never had sexual relations again.)
V. Tamar gives birth. (27-30)
A. Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her
womb.
B. And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand and the
midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, "This one
came out first."
C. Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out
unexpectedly and she said:
1. How did you break through?
2. This breach be upon you!
D. Therefore his name was called Pharez. (Pharez was the firstborn. His name
means "breaking forth".)
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E. Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his
name was called Zerah (meaning "scarlet").

Note: Tamar became part of the ancestral line of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, because
Pharez was a descendant of Judah from whose line the Messiah was to come. Pharez was
the illegitimate son of Judah and Tamar. The Levitical law of that time was that "One of
illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation
none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 23:2).
This is how David could be anointed king by Samuel as king of Israel, because he was
the tenth generation from Pharez:

1. Pharez.
2. Hezron.
3. Ram.
4. Amminadab.
5. Nahshon.
6. Salmon.
7. Boaz.
8. Obed.
9. Jesse.
10. David.

Cryptology is the practice of converting messages into code by using various

sequences of letters. Cryptologists note that in Genesis chapter 38 the names of Boaz,
Ruth, Obed, Jesse, and David appear concealed in 49 letter intervals and they are in
chronological order.

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