Editorial Reviews:
"Ruth" (Volume 7 in the "Anchor Bible Commentary" series), a tale of human kindness and just dealing far beyond the norm, contains elements that for centuries have been the subject of debate. With a sprightly translation and a commentary rich in informed speculation, Professor Campbell considers the questions of layman and scholar alike.Finding no overt mighty acts, the layman asks, 'Why was Ruth included in the Bible at all? Where is God?' Professor Campbell shows that God is not only present throughout but is indeed the moving force behind all the developments of the story. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz each act as God to each other, by taking extraordinary responsibility and performing extraordinary acts of kindness. And it is God who is responsible for the series of coincidences on which the plot hinges.The scholar's questions deal with such matters as purpose, date, and genre. Professor Campbell's research into ancient customs and linguistics suggests to him that Ruth is a historical novelette, entertaining and instructive, composed not long after the reign of King David, during the time of Solomon or within the subsequent century. Professor Campbell demonstrates the storyteller's skill with sensitive analysis of form, pacing, and wordplay. By delving into word origins and nuances he shows how convincingly the characters are developed. One instance: Naomi and Boaz use obsolescent language, emphasizing the generation gap between them and Ruth.In addition, the illustrations help the reader understand unfamiliar elements of the story - the setting, the agricultural seasons and harvesting, the clothing of the times, the city gate where elders and interested villagers gather to make sure that all is done in a just and godly way.
Customer Reviews:
 The high point of academic linguistic, historical and cultural Scriptural analysis is the Anchor Bible series; only needs update
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 determination to do so. The story-teller, not by being preachy but by portraying people living so, commends for his audience one of several available choices. Combined with this is a particular way of looking at reward. ( . . .)There is no mechanical doctrine of reward and punishment here; there is instead the commendation of a style of living which can be blessed by the God who would have it so among his people (p. 30)."
This theological introduction also examines the complaints by Naomi, not as an offense to God but a prophetic cry to God to faithfulness to the Covenant to draw the determined faithful from famine into blessing. Indeed, as Campbell points out, this story records a gradual growth within Naomi from a Job-like wail to the celebration ultimately centered around her in the end.
Again, "one of the corrolaries of the convenant model is that law in ancient Israel is to be thought of on two levels, the level of overarching policy and the level of actual cases when policy is applied. The sovereign God commands from his people obedience to stipulations of policy, policy which is effectively summed up in the combination of loving God whole-heartedly and single-mindeldly and of loving neighbor as oneself. Case law consists of examples of how to do this. In the Ruth story, opportunity for obeying basic stipulation with specific action and applications of pertinent custom is repeatedly the subject. Custom is clearly adapted and given new application so as to meet the basic need. All of the decisions to be made and acts to be taken are governed by the overarching commitments of honoring God by caring for neighbor (p. 31)."
Once again I regret I can only so poorly and too briefly relate one tiny aspect of this profound Introduction, which I strongly recommend you carefully consider for yourself.
The presentation of the text follows the normal Anchor Bible format of five lines of text with ten pages of Notes and Comments. This may seem frustrating to some of limited attention, which is why I recommend a straight read through first, and then a return to the reading with Notes and Comments, and then another read-through.
Truly this volume will reward every and all effort put into its reading, just as Our Lord rewards all determination and perseverance in the Faith, and it is highly recommended for all believers and practioners in our Faith.
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