By the Numbers
Original Source
Other Written Sources
Oral Sources
Mixed Sources
100
The sons of Naomi.
What is three?
100
This person offers water from the water jars to a future spouse the first day they meet.
Who is Boaz?
100
This person is a descendant of Orpah
Who is Goliath?
100
This prevented Ruth from being sacrificed.
What is a temporary blemish on her arm?
100
He is the grandson of Boaz.
Who is Jesse?
200
Time spent in Moab by Naomi's family.
What is ten years?
200
The meaning of Naomi's new name.
What is "bitter one" (Mara)?
200
The significance of the famous "aside" in 4:7.
What is an example of the unique interaction between story teller and audience?
200
Boaz gave this to Ruth to eat at lunch.
What is a pomegranate?
200
This is Ruth's ethnicity.
What is Moabite?
300
The number of times the word "bless" is used in the Book of Ruth.
What is five?
300
The name of the closest kinsman.
What is unknown?
300
Sasson says this is regarded in Israel as "God's instrument for judgment and cannot, therefore be thwarted by human acts."
What is the use of "famine" as having significance in the story?
300
This is the place where Tami and Simeon "connected" with Naomi's help.
What is the village well?
300
The closest relative gave this to indicate the decision not to redeem Naomi.
What is his sandal?
400
The number of elders witnessing the redeeming of Naomi.
What is ten?
400
Ruth ate this with Boaz on the first day they met.
What is bread dipped in vinegar and roasted grain?
400
Cohen compares this person's story to that of Ruth.
Who is Tamar?
400
This is the place where Ruth first sees Boaz on his horse.
What is the oasis well?
400
This is the name of Ruth's mother.
What is Beth?
500
The approximate time between Ruth's arrival in Bethlehem and her betrothal to Boaz.
What is about 90 days?
500
This is the reason why the closest kinsman did not redeem Naomi.
What is he would have to marry Ruth and any of her sons would diminish his inheritance?
500
These identify the four separate episodes of the Book of Ruth.
What are summarizing and previewing lines (coda)?
500
They were the witnesses when the closest relative declined to redeem Naomi.
Who are the elders and the townspeople?
500
According to Alter, this is the significance of the food given Ruth by Boaz during the lunch break that people of that time would recognize.
What is the hospitable feast following the well-side betrothal scene?
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