Hebrew Literature

 consists of ancient, medieval and modern writings in the Hebrew Language.

It is one of the primary forms of Jewish literature.

History of Hebrew
 Believed in Jehovah, an unseen God who was never been identified with images or
sacrifices.
 The worship of Jehovah was tied with right behavior in compliance with the 10
commandments.
 The first rulers were the patriarchs.

Hebrew Leaders
1. King Saul
 no strong central government.
 Ruled for 40 years

2. King David
 The Sheppered boy who killed Goliath .
 United the people of Judah and Israel.
 A gifted, poet and harpist.

3. King Solomon
 Noted for his being nice and fair.
 The biblical King Solomon was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his
writings. He became ruler in approximately 967 B.C.E.

TANAKH
 Most important work of Hebrew.(Jewish Bible)
 Also called the Mikra or Hebrew Bible, it is the canonical collection of Jewish texts,
which also a contextual source for the Christian Ten Commandments.

MISHNA
 Compiled around 200 CE , is the primary rabbinic codification of laws as derived
from the Torah.
TALMUD
 Collection of treatises which are chiefly dedicated to the laws and legends of the
Jews.
 Form is precise terminology and strict logic.
 Regarded as an extensive commentary on the bible.
 Discussion is its hallmark.

The BIBLE
 The word Bible came from the Greek word “biblia” meaning a collection of writings.
 Traditionally, the books of Hebrew Bible have been divided into three main sections.

1. The Torah
 From the Hebrew word tora, meaning ‘LAW”- consists of the first five books of the
bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy ).
 While the Torah is largely concerned with the law, it contains important narratives
and accounts of the World’s creation.

2. The Book of Samuel

 Contains historical accounts.
 It also contains the writings of the Prophets, those who in God’s name summoned the
Jews to the path of justice and faith.

3. Variety of works
 Poetry like Psalms, short stories like the Book of Ruth, and religious dialogues like
the Book of Job.

The Bible’s Influence

 For Jews the Bible was a “Written Temple,” sustaining Jewish culture and beliefs
when the temple in Jerusalem and the Jewish nation itself were destroyed.
 The Bible has also been of major importance for Moslems and Christians. Translated
into Greek, Latin, and every important Western language, it is regarded by Christians
as the precursor to the New Testament.
 The Book of Ruth
TITLE

 The book is named after one of its main characters, a young woman of moab, the great
grandmother of David and an ancestress of Jesus (4:21-22; Mt 1:1,5). The only other biblical
book bearing the name of a woman is Esther.
BACKGROUND

 The story set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of Judges as a period of
religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and frequent foreign oppression. The book of
Ruth reflects a time of peace between Israel and Moab. It gives a series of intimate glimpses into
the private lives of the members of an Israelite family. It also presents delightful account of the
remnant of true faith and piety in the period of the judges, relieving an otherwise wholly dark
picture of that era.

AUTHOR AND DATE OF WRITING

 The author is unknown. Jewish tradition points to Samuel, but it is unlikely that he is the author
because the mention of David (4:17, 22) implies a later date. Further, the literary style of Hebrew
used in Ruth suggests the it was written during the period of the monarchy.

SETTINGS

 In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in
Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.

CHARACTERS

 Naomi - wife of Elimelech

 Ruth - wife of Mahlon

 Boaz - a rich man, owner of the ricefield, second husband of Ruth

 Elimelech - the husband of Naomi, father of Mahlon and Chilion
 Mahlon – husband of Ruth

 Chilion – husband of Orpah

 Orpah – Chilion’s wife

 Nearer Kinsman

THEME

 The Book of Ruth Theme of Loyalty Quotes. The Book of Ruth is big on loyalty. In fact, the
Hebrew word for this—chesed—appears multiple times throughout the story. This word is
used elsewhere in the Bible to describe God's loyalty and faithfulness to Israel (source, p.
240).