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Ῥούθ

Rhoúth

G4503 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain proper name, Ruth

Definition

Proper name: Ruth—a Moabite woman. The personal name Ruth as used in the Greek tradition, primarily designating a Moabite woman known from the Hebrew Scriptures as the protagonist in the Book of Ruth. The word is used as a direct transliteration of a personal name and does not function as a common noun or convey lexical meaning beyond denoting the individual.

Semantic Range

Ruth (the Moabite woman); personal name; Moabite heroine of the Book of Ruth; ancestor in Davidic genealogy

Root / Etymology

Ῥούθ is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name רוּת (Rut). Etymology uncertain; proposed connections to Hebrew root רעה (to associate, befriend) or רוה (to be satisfied, refresh) are speculative and not definitively established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ῥούθ occurs in the Septuagint as the Greek form of the name of the Moabite woman Ruth, appearing as the title and protagonist in the Book of Ruth. Its only New Testament occurrence is in genealogical contexts (e.g., Matthew 1:5), reflecting her inclusion as a notable ancestor of David and, by later tradition, of Jesus. The term identifies her as 'the Moabite'—a non-Israelite who becomes integrated into the Israelite people via marriage and covenant loyalty. The Greek rendering replicates the Hebrew form and does not reinterpret the name. English translations use 'Ruth,' following both Greek and Hebrew tradition. No evidence exists for the use of Ῥούθ as a common noun or given name outside biblical references in Koine Greek literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (רוּת); Ruth, a Moabitess:--Ruth.

Root Family

Ῥούθ (Rhoúth) — proper name, Ruth

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G4503-01 Ῥούθ routh N GEN F SG Ruth of Ruth 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G4503-01 Matthew 1:5 Ῥούθ routh N GEN F SG Ruth of Ruth
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