Abstract
In this paper it is argued that the motif of the matriarch is not only present in the Book of Ruth, but that it also fulfils an important role. Several motifs and clusters of motifs established in the patriarchal narratives, especially that of the protection of the matriarch, are shown to be used in such a way that Ruth is portrayed as a typical matriarch. Since a matriarch is a matriarch by virtue of the importance of her offspring, the David motif in 4:17 is by no means secondary, but an inherent part of the narrative itself. This in turn has implications for the theological basis of the Davidic dynasty: Since the motif of the matriarch in this way becomes part of the royal theme, its meaning is determined by the overarching theme of solidarity and love, viz. that the royal house is founded not on 'pure' descent, but on solidarity and love.
Highlights
In this paper il is argued that the m o tif o f the m atriarch is present in the B ook o f Ruth, hut that it fu lfils an im portant role
The reference is to the story told in Genesis 38, which is important on another count as well, for it concerns an incident where the levirate is as central as it is in the Book of Ruth
The explicit references to characters from the patriarchal narratives as well as the copious use of the established motifs of childlessness, levirate, the gift of a child by God, offspring and adoption (4:13-14) - all of these, read in the context of the motifs of famine, migration and sojourn, thoroughly integrate the figure of the ma triarch into the fibre of the narrative itself The picture of Ruth, consists of a typical migrating, childless matriarch who is exposed to danger in the land of her sojourn, but who is given protection and in the end receives a son by tiie grace of God
Summary
Does David feature in the story of Ruth? This question is mooted by the scho larly discussion of the problems presented by the last six verses of the Book of Ruth. Wliether or not the Ruth narrative addresses the lineage of King David, is not detennined merely by the relationship of the genealogy of David (4:18-22) to the rest of the book. For, even if it is secondary, we still have verse 17 to contend with. Even Gillis Gerleman, who finds the Davidic theme the central idea around which the whole narrative was built (c f Joon, 1924:95), shares the opinion that the genealogy is secondary (Gerleman, 1965:38)
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