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.
Recommendation
To All The World
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Introductory Commentaries
For Sunday school teachers and small group leaders without advanced training
The Message of Ruth: The Wings of Refuge, Revised
David J. Atkinson
Bible Speaks Today
IVP Academic, 2022
Atkinson’s commentary on Ruth relies on theological themes inherent in the book, focusing on how the providence of God plays out in the book. His writing is digestible for a wide audience.
Ruth
John Currid
TGC Bible Commentary
The Gospel Coalition, 2023
Currid’s commentary on Ruth is an insightful map for those looking for an entry point into this biblical text. This free resource provides readers with a helpful guide to the story of Ruth. It’s faithful to point them beyond Ruth to the Messianic King that would come from Ruth’s line.
Joshua, Judges, Ruth
J. Gordon Harris, Cheryl A. Brown, and Michael S. Moore
Understanding the Bible Commentary
Baker Books, 2012
Moore’s contribution to this volume introduces readers to Ruth’s historical context and shows how Ruth relates to other Old Testament texts. Philip Johnston notes that Moore “constantly draws parallels and contrasts with Judges 17–21 at literary and theological levels, often with pithy and memorable phrases.”
Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God: Sweet and Bitter Providence in the Book of Ruth
John Piper
Crossway, 2022
Vintage Piper. This collection of sermons offers a contemporary entry point to the ancient narrative that issues in a deeper appreciation for God’s steadfast love.
Preaching Commentaries
For pastors and Bible teachers preparing to proclaim the Word
Esther & Ruth
Iain M. Duguid
Reformed Expository Commentary
P&R Publishing, 2005
Duguid’s commentary is handy for pastors seeking to help church members apply the book of Ruth to their Christian lives. Duguid does not get bogged down in details, but maintains a helpful devotional outlook.
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.”
Ruth
James McKeown
Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary
Eerdmans, 2015
McKeown’s commentary on Ruth is rich. His exposition is illuminating, the biblical theological links between Ruth and Genesis are intriguing, and his theological reflections in the second half of the book provide a treasure trove of fodder for application when preaching.
Ruth
Katharine Doob Sakenfeld
Interpretation
Westminster John Knox Press, 2011
Sakenfeld’s brief commentary skillfully handles the sociological and theological themes that arise in the book.
Scholarly Commentaries
For pastors and theologians proficient in biblical Hebrew
Judges, Ruth
Daniel I. Block
New American Commentary
Holman Reference, 1999
Block’s commentary is nearly a quarter century old, but it remains the standard on Judges and Ruth. Becuase it is thorough, it is a helpful beginning survey for students looking for an overview of the secondary literature on this historical book.
Ruth/Esther
Frederic Bush
Word Biblical Commentary
Zondervan Academic, 1996
Bush’s volume on Ruth is extensive in its scope and detailed in its analysis. The commentary provides thorough exegesis, but it will likely come off as too technical and philosophical for the armchair theologian. A solid resource for scholars.
Ruth: A New Translation with a Philological Commentary and a Formalist-Folklorist Interpretation
Jack Sasson
Biblical Seminar
John Hopkins University, 1989
A major scholarly endeavor that explores all the philological and literary details pertinent to studying Ruth. Sasson is well-acquainted with the ancient Near Eastern context out of which the book of Ruth arose, so his insights are illuminating for scholars researching the text.
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.”