Patterns in Ruth

Barry Webb (Five Festal Garments, pp38-39) draws on the work of Stephen Bertman ('Symmetrical design in the book of Ruth' JBL 84:165-168 (1965)) to point out parallels between Ruth 2 and 3.

In both chapters, Ruth discusses with Naomi, goes to Boaz, who asks who she is, asks her to stay, says she is worthy of blessing and gives her food. Ruth reports back to Naomi and receives her advice.

Further, in the first 3 chapters there is a going out and a returning. In the final chapter, Boaz goes out to the town gate and then goes to Ruth and takes her as his husband. She finds rest in the home of her husband (1:9; 3:1).