I. Kinship, Social, and Legal Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Sojourn / Sojourner (Hebrew: gur) (Ruth 1:1): To reside temporarily in a place away from one's homeland. Elimelech and his family went to "sojourn" in Moab due to famine in Judah. A "sojourner" was a resident alien.;xNLx;Ephrathites / Ephrathah (Ruth 1:2; 4:11): Ephrathah was an ancient name for the region around Bethlehem, or Bethlehem itself. "Ephrathites" were people from this area.;xNLx;Cling / Cleave (Hebrew: davaq) (Ruth 1:14; 2:8, 21, 23): To hold fast, stick closely to, or remain loyal to someone or something. Ruth "clung" to Naomi, indicating her deep loyalty and commitment.;xNLx;Kindness / Steadfast Love / Loyalty (Hebrew: chesed) (Ruth 1:8; 2:20; 3:10): A key thematic word in Ruth. Chesed encompasses concepts of loyalty, faithfulness, covenantal love, mercy, and acts of devotion that go beyond legal obligation. It describes God's relationship with His people and the ideal for human relationships within the covenant community. Naomi acknowledges God's chesed and Boaz commends Ruth for her chesed.;xNLx;Redeem / Redeemer (Hebrew: ga'al) (Ruth 2:20; 3:9, 12-13; 4:1, 3-4, 6, 8, 14): This refers to the responsibilities of a go'el, or kinsman-redeemer. This was a close male relative who had the duty, under specific circumstances, to protect the interests of his extended family. These duties could include:;xNLx;Redeeming land: Buying back family land that had been sold due to poverty, to keep it within the family (Leviticus 25:25-28). This is a central plot point in Ruth 4.;xNLx;Levirate marriage (implied context): Marrying a childless widow of a deceased brother (or close relative) to raise up an heir for the deceased, so his name and lineage would not die out (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). While Boaz is not Elimelech's brother, the principle of preserving the deceased's line and inheritance is at play.;xNLx;Avenging blood (not relevant in Ruth).;xNLx;Redeeming a relative sold into slavery (not relevant in Ruth). Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer for Naomi's family by redeeming Elimelech's land and marrying Ruth.;xNLx;Next of kin / Close relative (Ruth 2:1, 20; 3:2, 9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6, 14): A relative who, by virtue of their blood relationship, had certain rights and responsibilities, including those of a kinsman-redeemer. The narrative highlights that there was a closer kinsman than Boaz.;xNLx;Gate (of the city) (Ruth 3:11; 4:1, 11): In ancient Israelite towns, the city gate was a public place where legal transactions were conducted, elders met, and judicial decisions were made. Boaz goes to the gate to settle the matter of redemption.;xNLx;Elders (Ruth 4:2, 4, 9, 11): Respected senior men of the city who witnessed and validated legal transactions, such as the one Boaz conducted at the gate.;xNLx;Acquire / Buy (Ruth 4:4-5, 8-10): In the context of Ruth 4, this refers to the legal act of purchasing the right to Elimelech's land, which was tied to the responsibility of marrying Ruth to raise up an heir for the deceased.;xNLx;Raise up the name of the dead (Ruth 4:5, 10): To perpetuate the lineage and memory of a deceased man by having a child through his widow (often by a kinsman-redeemer) who would be considered the heir of the deceased and inherit his property. This ensured the family line and property did not disappear.;xNLx;Sandal (removing the sandal) (Ruth 4:7-8): An ancient Israelite custom for confirming a transaction involving redemption or exchange. One party would remove his sandal and give it to the other as a public attestation or symbol of the transfer of rights.;xNLx;Mara (Ruth 1:20): The name Naomi gives herself, meaning "bitter," reflecting her sorrow and perception of God's dealings with her after her losses.;xNLx;II. Agricultural and Daily Life Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Famine (Ruth 1:1): A severe shortage of food in a region, which was the impetus for Elimelech's family moving to Moab.;xNLx;Barley Harvest (Ruth 1:22; 2:17, 23): The time of year when barley, one of the main grain crops, was reaped. Ruth arrives in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. The harvest season was a critical time for sustenance.;xNLx;Glean (Ruth 2:2-3, 7-8, 15-19, 23): The practice of gathering leftover grain in the fields after the reapers had passed. The Law of Moses made provision for the poor, the sojourner, the widow, and the orphan to glean (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22). Ruth exercises this right in Boaz's field.;xNLx;Reapers (Ruth 2:3-7, 9, 14): The workers who cut and gathered the grain during the harvest.;xNLx;Sheaves (Ruth 2:7, 15-16): Bundles of cut grain stalks. Boaz instructs his reapers to allow Ruth to glean even among the sheaves, a sign of his exceptional generosity.;xNLx;Threshing floor (Ruth 3:2-3, 6, 14): A hard, flat surface, often located in an open, windy place, where harvested grain was threshed—beaten or trodden—to separate the kernels from the stalks and husks. It was also a place where workers might sleep during the harvest season to guard the grain.;xNLx;Winnow (Ruth 3:2): The process of separating chaff (the light, inedible husks) from the heavier grain kernels, typically by tossing the threshed grain into the air so the wind would blow the chaff away. Boaz was winnowing barley at the threshing floor.;xNLx;Ephah (of barley) (Ruth 2:17): A dry measure for grain, roughly equivalent to 22 liters or a little over half a bushel. Ruth gleaned about an ephah of barley, a generous amount for one day's work.;xNLx;Parched grain (Ruth 2:14): Roasted or toasted kernels of grain, a common food, especially during harvest time. Boaz shared his parched grain with Ruth.;xNLx;Portion / Share (Ruth 2:14, 18): A serving of food.;xNLx;III. General Expressions and Other Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Almighty (Hebrew: Shaddai) (Ruth 1:20-21): A name for God, emphasizing His power and sovereignty. Naomi uses this name when expressing her sense that God has dealt bitterly with her.;xNLx;Under whose wings you have come to take refuge (Ruth 2:12): A metaphor for seeking God's protection and care, like young birds finding safety under the wings of their mother. Boaz uses this to commend Ruth for her faith in the God of Israel.;xNLx;Spread your wings / corner of your garment (Hebrew: kanaph) (Ruth 3:9): When Ruth asks Boaz to "spread your wings" (or "corner of your garment") over her, she is using a symbolic expression asking for his protection and, in this context, for him to perform the duty of a kinsman-redeemer by marrying her. The "wing" or "corner" of a garment could symbolize protection and possession.;xNLx;Worthy woman / Woman of noble character / Excellent wife (Hebrew: eshet chayil) (Ruth 3:11): A woman of strength, capability, virtue, and good standing in the community. This phrase is also used in Proverbs 31 to describe the ideal wife. Boaz recognizes Ruth as such a woman.;xNLx;Rest / Security (Ruth 1:9; 3:1): Naomi desires "rest" or "security" for her daughters-in-law, meaning a home and provision, typically found in marriage.;xNLx;This list should help in clarifying some of the culturally specific and thematically important terms in the Book of Ruth (ESV), allowing for a deeper engagement with this beautiful story of faithfulness and God's providential care.