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Ruth

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Moabite woman in the Bible whose devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi led to her inclusion in the lineage of King David.

Detailed Definition
Ruth’s vow to Naomi and gleaning in Boaz’s field exemplify hesed (loyal love). Her inclusion in Jesus’ genealogy highlights grace for outsiders. In poetry, Ruth symbolizes steadfast love, the dignity of the foreigner, and providence working through humble faithfulness—often representing the quiet heroine whose loyalty reshapes history and fulfills covenant.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Ruth 1–4, Ruth’s loyalty inspires poetry across cultures and centuries; Adrienne Rich’s feminist verse honors Ruth as immigrant and loyal daughter-in-law; Contemporary poems explore Ruth’s gleaning as dignity in poverty; In poems about covenant love, Ruth’s vow—“Your people shall be my people”—resonates deeply; Some liturgical works honor Ruth as Moabitess in David’s line and Christ’s ancestry; Educational poems cite Ruth to teach about hesed and inclusion.
Additional Notes
Ruth, a Moabitess who clings to Naomi and becomes David’s ancestor, embodies hesed (loyal love); her story subverts ethnic and gender barriers; the Book of Ruth is itself lyrical and redemptive, making her a central figure for poems on belonging, providence, and quiet heroism.
Other Meanings of “Ruth”
Also Known As
Ruth of Moab Ruth the Moabitess Compassion Pity Rue Sorrow
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