Ruth and Naomi’s relationship: a partnership built on chesed

Abstract

The relationship that the author of the book of Ruth shows to exists between his characters, Ruth and Naomi has been read or interpreted by scholars in various ways. Some say it is a lesbian or bisexual relationship, others a type of patriachal structure that ties a woman to her mother-in-law even after the death of her husband (Nelson, 1967 & Fuchs, 1983) and still for Dube it is an unfair relationship where mutual love is lacking (Dube, 2001). This thesis, on the other hand understands it differently: It is a relationship driven by chesed (loyalty). This is a reading by means of narrative critical approach, focusing among others on characterization and narrative view point. In other words, the submission of the author of this thesis is that it is an underlying loyalty that the author of the book presents as keeping the young woman, Ruth and the aged woman, Naomi together. The main significance of the study is that it offers another perspective to understanding the Ruth and Naomi’s relationship by offering an opposing view to others who have read the story as a homosexual relationship or a permanent bond established between a mother and her daughter-in-law in a patriarchal household.