Ruth

I am a scientist, not a Hebrew scholar, but I love this book and it, in turn, has given me a love for the book of Ruth. A Hebrew professor once told me this was the best English language commentary on Ruth, but that doesn't do it justice. It is a joy to read. The translation is lively and the commentary is totally engrossing. Even the textual notes are accessible and worthwhile reading for the layman. An example from the notes: (The Hebrew text injects) "a note of sly and good-humored wonder: `Well, what do you know, they arrived in Bethlehem for the barley harvest--just the right time!'"

If you follow the fundamentalist school that every word in the Holy Bible was written whole-cloth by the hand of God (or Moses or both), then this academic and scientific work is not for you. If however you wish to see a compilation of the finest textual and historical analysis of every canonical book in the Bible, visit the Anchor Bible series. Some books, such as the Gospel according to Matthew, require only one volume. Others, such as the shorter Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of John, require two very full volumes. The Letter of Saint James once was included in one volume with Peter and Jude, but now happily merits a separate and excellent volume. In the light of the Holy Father's recent original methodological analysis of Jesús De Nazaret we do well to supplement that close reading with this textual Anchor Bible approach. The Book of Psalms receives a three volume analysis by the admirable Dahood, who carefully examines the origin and deepest meaning of each line as a philologist, historical, cultural and Scriptural scholar. This current volume (of which I hold the original hardcover 1975 edition) which examines very minutely the Book of Ruth from every aspect serves as an excellent introduction to the series, its methods and purpose and its rewards. At first the fullness of information provided can be overwhelming; yet a careful structure of Introduction, Notes, Comments and commentary is adhered to in order to increase comprehensibility. For this reason, I recommend reading the Introduction first for an overview, then read the text straight through carefully and slowly and repeatedly as lectio divina, then read the text with the notes and commentary. Otherwise reading everything at once, notes and all in one gulp can cause a discouraging overload, and there is too much goodness here to let this valuable volume slip from your hands. Sip it slowly. Campbell's Introduction therefore discusses the Book, the artistry of the talented story-teller the role of the Hebrew singer of tales, and of the wise women, the date and process of composition, its theology, its canonical status and place (is it actually a part of the book of Judges?) and the Text. This introduction in itself serves a full feast. I am best able to present here in this review some interesting points from the Theology. What is most remarkable about the Old Testament Book of Ruth is that we do not see the direct intervention of a personalized God acting as Deus ex machina, but the action of God as coming to realization within the actions of the people of God acting faithful to the Covenant. "God is present and active in the Ruth story especially in the way in which the people behave toward one another. God it is who brings about shalom in the context of this town, among these people, through the caring responsibility of human beings for one another (p. 29)." Similarly, "the impact is that living out a righteous and responsible life is a matter of de