Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>]

The author?

The books of Samuel were redacted by Samuel, Gad, Nasan

and the book of Ruth was redacted by Samuel

source:  Charting the Mesorah by Rabbi Zechariah Fendel

Shoshanna




While the discussion as to whether Ruth was a princess or not
  continues, one may ask wehether the author of the book
  conceived it as history or not. A clue may be found in the
  names of  Elimelkh and Ruth's children, namely Mahlon and
  Khilyon.(Already in the seond verse of the first chapter).
  The English translation of the latter names is, roughly, "Sicky"
  and "Finito". And indeed in verse 5 both of these unfortunate
  individuals died. Clearly these are cartoon-like personal
  names, in contra-distinction to many other symbolic personal
  names in the HB.

   Completely apart frtom the intendeed meaning of Ruth,
  the author is presenting here  a moving historical romance.
  Whether it is based on real historical background cannot at
  present be established.

   Like so much else  pertaining to the HB, other interpretations
  are of course possible.

   Uri


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