Ruth: Bridges and Boundaries (Das Alte Testament im Dialog / An Outline of an Old Testament Dialogue)

✍ Scribed by Jonathan Grossman

• Publisher: Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
• Year: 2015
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 350
• Edition: New
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Ruth: Bridges and Boundaries is a literary close reading of the text as a bridge between the anarchic period of the Judges and the monarchic age that begins with the birth of David, as reflected through Ruth’s absorption process within Bethlehemite society. This bridge is constructed from three main axes: the theological perception that human actions have the power to shape and advance reality; the moral-legal perception that the spirit of the law must be privileged over the letter of the law and social conventions; and the principle that the institute of monarchy must be based upon human compassion. The commentary traces the narrative sequence through the paradigm of this three-fold cord, showing how these threads are woven throughout the book. This innovative reading is illustrated with an unprecedented psychological analysis of Ruth as a narrative of transition, using modern psychological theories.
This contemporary yet textually faithful literary commentary offers new insight into the inner workings of the text of Ruth as literary masterpiece. Academic yet accessible, this work provides tools for readers of Ruth and the field of biblical narrative in general.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Contents
Introduction
The Book of Ruth’s Dating and Objectives
The Structure of the Book of Ruth
Artistic Structure
Theology in the Book of Ruth
Attitude Towards the Law
The Narrative’s Employment of Legal Discourse
Intertextuality Reflecting Violation of the Law
The Story of Judah and Tamar
Time and Space in the Book of Ruth
Time
Space
Introduction to Chapter 1
Exposition (1:1–6)
The Long Way Home: Naomi and Her Daughters-in-Law (1:7–18)
Naomi’s Second Soliloquy (11–14)
Naomi’s Third Soliloquy (15)
“Wherever You Go, I Will Go” (16–17)
Silent Acquiescence (18)
Naomi (and Ruth’s) Return to Bethlehem (1:19–22)
Introduction to Chapter II
Ruth and Boaz’s Encounter in the Field (2:1–23)
The Solitary Gleaner (2–3)
Boaz and His Boy in the Field (4–7)
Boaz Addresses Ruth (8–9)
Ruth’s Response (10)
Boaz’s Response (11–12)
Ruth’s Reaction (13)
Lunchtime Conversation (14–16)
The Remains of the Day (17)
Ruth’s Return to Naomi (18–22)
The Structure of Ruth 2
Introduction to Chapter III
Ruth and Boaz’s Encounter at the Threshing-Floor (3:1–18)
Naomi’s Suggestive Suggestion (1–5)
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing-Floor (6–13)
Boaz’s Reaction (10–13)
Daybreak (14–15)
Uncovering and Covering
Ruth’s Return to Naomi (16–18)
Naomi’s Reaction
The Structure of Ruth 3
Introduction to Chapter IV
Before the Law (4:1–12)
Gathering at the Gate (1–2)
The First Dialogue – the Redeemer Consents to Redeem the Field (3–4)
The Second Dialogue – From Redemption to Acquisition (5–8)
“The Wife of the Deceased” – From Two Widows to One Couple
From the Redeemer to Boaz
Boaz’s Declaration (9–10)
The People’s Blessing: Security and Estate (11–12)
Two Mothers in Bethlehem (4:13–17)
Marriage and Birth (13)
The Choiring of the Town: Let Your Name be Called (14–15)
The Feminine Signature (14–17)
“The Father of Jesse the Father of David” (17)
Appendix – The Lineage of Peretz (4:18–22)
Afterword
Reading the Story in Light of Winnicott
Bridges