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Ruth

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Biblical Character

The Resume

    (circa 1200 BC- )
    Born in Moab (part of Jordan)
    Appears in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament
    Wife of Chilion and daughter-in-law of Naomi (originally from Bethlehem but forced to move to Moab because of famine)
    Was released by Naomi from any obligation to her in-laws when her husband died
    Refused to abandon her mother-in-law and accompanied her back to Bethlehem
    Eventually married a second time to a wealthy kinsman
    Great-grandmother of David

Why she might be annoying:

    As a Moabite, she was seen as a heathen and a foreigner by the Israelites.
    She refused to leave Naomi even though doing so jeopardized her chances of remarrying.
    She may have manipulated Boaz, a well-to-do farmer, into marrying her by contriving to spend the night in his barn.
    She also insisted that Boaz as her closest male relative by marriage was legally obligated to marry her.

Why she might not be annoying:

    Her famous speech to Naomi (‘For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge….’) have made her a byword for loyalty.
    She worked in Boaz’s fields to support Naomi and herself.
    It was her kindness towards her mother-in-law that first caught Boaz’s attention.
    She is one of several devout but tough-minded women in the Old Testament.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 87 Votes: 47.13% Annoying