Ῥούθ (Rhouth)
Rhouth
Ruth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Rhouth, transliterated from the Hebrew Rut, appears only once in the New Testament at Matthew 15:13. It identifies Ruth, the Moabite woman whose story is recorded in the Old Testament book bearing her name. Thayer’s Lexicon notes that the underlying Hebrew root suggests the meaning of "a female friend," highlighting a relational quality central to her character.
Ruth is remembered as the wife of Boaz and the mother of Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. Her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus underscores the presence of Gentiles in the lineage of Christ. By citing her name here, the text acknowledges her pivotal role in Israel’s history and her faithful commitment to Naomi and her people.
This single occurrence serves as a concise reference to a well-known ancestor. It connects the New Testament narrative directly to the Hebrew Scriptures, reminding readers that the Messiah’s roots extend back to a foreigner who chose loyalty over comfort. The name stands as a testament to faithfulness across cultural boundaries.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Rhouth, appearing in Matthew’s genealogy, points to Ruth, a Moabite woman whose life illustrates profound loyalty. Her story is not just ancient history but a reminder that God includes those from outside traditional boundaries in His redemptive plan. By placing her name alongside kings and prophets, the text affirms that faithfulness matters more than lineage or origin.
For your own walk, this offers comfort. You are part of a long line of believers who trusted God despite uncertainty. Ruth’s choice to stay with Naomi shows that steadfast love is valued by God. This connection reminds us that our personal stories, no matter how humble, contribute to the greater narrative of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ruth;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ῥούθ·1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 1:5
Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse.
This verse explicitly lists Ruth as the mother of Obed and wife of Boaz, anchoring her historical identity within Jesus' ancestral line.