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Best Commentaries on Ruth

The book of Ruth dramatically portrays the redemption and inclusion of a Gentile heroine into the lineage of David and the coming Messianic King.

Here are our selections for commentaries on Ruth.

Introductory Commentaries

For Sunday school teachers and small group leaders without advanced training

Preaching Commentaries

For pastors and Bible teachers preparing to proclaim the Word

The Book of Ruth

Robert L. Hubbard Jr.
Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries
Eerdmans, 2023

Volume was previously published as part of the NICOT series. Mathison says, “Robert Hubbard’s commentary on Ruth is a model of how commentaries should be written. It is careful and clear. It manages to deal with both details and the big picture. This is the first commentary to which one should turn with questions about the book of Ruth. Very highly recommended.”

Scholarly Commentaries

For pastors and theologians proficient in biblical Hebrew

Ruth

Kirsten Nielsen
Old Testament Library
Westminster John Knox Press, 1997

Nielsen is a strong writer. Her volume highlights intertextual connections, particularly similarities between Ruth and the stories of the patriarchs. Longman notes, “She finds the story of Tamar in Genesis 38 especially illuminating. She presents an interesting description of her hermeneutical theory in the introduction. The intention of Ruth is to counter a smear campaign against David that shows he is descended from a Moabite, but the book shows that this is all the will of Yahweh.”