Graybill & Guillaume/Ruth, 3. The Torah in Ruth?

This chapter challenges the common references to the Pentateuch, in particular the so-called “laws” on gleanings (Leviticus 19; 23; Deuteronomy 24), land redemption (Lev 25), Zelophehad’s daughters (Numbers 27; 36), the levirate (Deut 25), and the exclusion of the Moabites (Num 25; Deut 23). On the basis of the priority of the ketiv in Ruth 4:5, the Ruth story made sense in light of marriage customs before the Alexandrian translators introduced were keen to present Jews – Boaz and Naomi – as Torah-abiding.