fl. c. 700s B.C.

Moabite woman who married a Judaean living in Moab. After her husband died, Ruth traveled to Judea with her mother-in-law. She subsequently married another Judaean and became the great-grandmother of King David, and thus, a progenitor of Jesus. Her story in the Old Testament portrays early migration between nations and teaches the importance of the acceptance of foreigners, who may make valuable contributions to one's own nation and culture.