Hebrew Wordplay & Motifs רוּת
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Ruth as Female Abraham: The מוֹלֶדֶת (Moledet) Parallel Critical
מוֹלֶדֶת
moledet
"birthplace, homeland, place of origin"
One of the most profound wordplays in Ruth occurs when Boaz recognizes Ruth's Abrahamic faith by using nearly identical language to describe her journey.
Direct Hebrew Comparison: God's Call vs. Boaz's Recognition
Genesis 12:1 — God to Abraham
and from your birthplace,
and from your father's house"
לֶךְ־לְךָ מֵאַרְצְךָ
וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ
וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ
"Go from your land,וּמִמּוֹלַדְתְּךָ
וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ
and from your birthplace,
and from your father's house"
↔
Ruth 2:11 — Boaz to Ruth
and the land of your birthplace,
and went to a people"
וַתַּעַזְבִי אָבִיךְ וְאִמֵּךְ
וְאֶרֶץ מוֹלַדְתֵּךְ
וַתֵּלְכִי אֶל־עַם
"And you left your father and mother,וְאֶרֶץ מוֹלַדְתֵּךְ
וַתֵּלְכִי אֶל־עַם
and the land of your birthplace,
and went to a people"
Literary Brilliance:
The narrator doesn't make this connection explicitly—instead, it's placed in Boaz's mouth, suggesting that true spiritual leaders recognize faith patterns across ethnic boundaries. When Boaz sees Ruth, he doesn't see "Moabite woman" but "female Abraham."