Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
RUTH, BOOK OF
One of the protocanonical writings of the Old Testament, narrating the story of a Bethlehem family in the time of the Judges. Its heroine is Ruth, daughter-in-law of Naomi. Although Ruth is a Moabite, she marries Boaz, a Jew, and becomes the great-grandmother of King David, of whose family Christ was born. The purpose of the book was twofold: to preserve the edifying story of David's ancestry, and to witness to the practice of extraordinary filial piety, rewarded by God.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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