Symmetry, Ruth and Canon

The book of Ruth has proven problematic insofar as scholars have not been able to agree upon its structure, purpose or meaning. This article proposes that a key to each of these may be found in the first six verses of the book. After suggesting that these verses evince a symmetrical pattern, the aut...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bovell, Carlos R. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage 2003
In: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2003, Volume: 28, Issue: 2, Pages: 175-191
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:The book of Ruth has proven problematic insofar as scholars have not been able to agree upon its structure, purpose or meaning. This article proposes that a key to each of these may be found in the first six verses of the book. After suggesting that these verses evince a symmetrical pattern, the author then explores what canonical connections might be implied by such an arrangement. The author argues for a ‘Davidic’ reading of the entire book, not by emphasizing the genealogy, but by focusing on the book’s introduction and presenting it, and the story that follows, as a figurative expression of an exilic (or post-exilic) hope for the restoration of the Davidic dynasty.
ISSN:1476-6728
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/030908920302800203