Ruth: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)
Language: English
Pages: 240
ISBN: 0300192150
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
role fits with ancient Israelite household organization (Meyers, , –). Boaz’s announcement is the first explicit reference to the land resources at Naomi’s disposal. This disclosure, however, does not necessarily mean that Naomi was secure economically. According to some texts, land was held as an inheritance by the clan, with various members controlling the usufruct of various plots that were apportioned by the clan (consult “Household Organization” in the Introduction). Yet, having the
framework,” as he calls it, to argue that the book of Ruth is in fact a salvation history in that its structure retrospectively reveals God’s salvific plan. Hals declares that, by the end of chapter , “it becomes clear that this has all been Heilsgeschichte! ” ( [emphasis in original]). Over the past several decades, Hals’s proposal has influenced many subsequent discussions of the book’s portrayal of God (e.g., Beattie; Bush; Campbell; Childs; Gerleman; Hubbard; LaCocque; Nielsen; Sakenfeld,
“female servant” (:). In each case, the term describes her asymmetrical relationship to a more senior member of her clan. As Boaz would be the senior member of his household, she would 46 introduction fall under his authority within the household system (cf. “maidservant” [:], “handmaid” [:]). Naomi and Boaz could simultaneously have authority over Ruth. Since the extended family and clan consisted of multiple generations of parents and nonparents, servants and nonservants, married
although many scholars argue that :– is secondary (consult Comments on :–). The traditional division of the text into eighty-five verses reflects the use of sôph pasûq in MTL, although MTL does not number 4 introduction these divisions. The traditional division of Ruth into four chapters is credited to the Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton’s chapter divisions of an edition of the Vulg. in the thirteenth century C.E., roughly two hundred years after MTL. The only larger section
immediately behind the reapers so that she can get the first pickings, rather than trailing behind other gleaners. For this she needs permission” (). If this interpretation is correct, Ruth’s request would go above and beyond any provisions provided by the laws for gleaning in Pentateuchal legislation (cf. Lev :–; :; Deut :). These laws may not necessarily serve as the basis for her request. from then, the morning until now. Some Old Greek manuscripts read “until evening” (cf.