According to rabbinic tradition, Samuel the prophet wrote the book of Ruth. However, the book’s style, language, and likely purpose (see below) suggest that the author lived in a later era than Samuel did.

More recent scholarly suggestions include Nathan the prophet, David’s daughter Tamar, or even a group of women. Ultimately though, the book contains no decisive evidence as to the author’s identity.

There are two major schools of thought concerning the book’s date. Each is associated with a different possibility as to the purpose of the book.

Early Date

Time of Composition: The era of King David and his immediate successors (10th/9th century BC).

Associated Purpose: To show the piety of David’s Moabite ancestor (Ruth), thereby defending the legitimacy of David’s kingship (despite his partly Moabite heritage).

Later Date

Time of Composition: The early post-exilic era, after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon (ca. 5th century BC).

Associated Purpose: To protest Ezra and Nehemiah’s exclusion of Gentiles (Ezra 9:1-10:44; Nehemiah 13:23-31). Ruth shows that pious Gentiles should be included in the ranks of God’s people.