Series: New International Commentary on the Old Testament 

“Do not urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people are my people, and your God is my God.”

In this pivotal verse, Ruth’s self-sacrificial declaration of loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi forms the relationship at the heart of the book of Ruth. Peter H. W. Lau’s new translation and commentary explores the human and divine love at the center of the narrative as well as the book’s relevance to Christian theology.

In the latest entry in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Lau upholds the series’ standard of quality. The Book of Ruth includes detailed notes on the translation and pays careful attention to the original Hebrew and the book's historical context, all the while remaining focused on Ruth’s relevance to Christian readers today. An indispensable resource for pastors, scholars, students, and all readers of Scripture, Lau’s commentary is the perfect companion to one of the most beloved books of the Old Testament.

Table of Contents

Introduction 
         Structure and Message 
         Genre 
         Authorship and Date 
         Purpose 
         Canonicity 
         The Hebrew Text 
         Theological Messages 
         Themes 
         Ruth and the New Testament 
Text and Commentary 
Act 1: Death and Emptiness (1:1–22) 
Act 2: Seeking Short-Term Security (2:1–23) 
Act 3: Seeking Permanent Security (3:1–18) 
Act 4: Redemption and Fullness (4:1–22)