Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Bryant Williams asks about the arguments for a late dating of Ruth. Since 
this goes beyond the original thread in which it was placed, I've changed the 
subject name. Please continue the thread here.

What do we make of some of the personal names in Ruth:

Mahlon = 'Critically ill' (Guess what he does: he dies!)
Chilion = 'Terminally ill' (Guess what he does: he dies!)
Orpah = 'Back-of-the-neck girl' (Guess what she does: she turns her back on 
Naomi)
Ruth = 'companion' (Guess what she does: she acts as Naomi's companion)
Naomi = 'Sweetie' (She's anything but, and she knows it, too)
Boaz = 'Strongly/Lively' (Guess what he does: he comes to the rescue)

Should these wordplays figure in a discussion on the dating of the book of 
Ruth?


GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au