Why Was This Book Written?

The Israelites were an oral culture. And so this is a story that was told. All of the names are symbolic, tied more to their role in the story than what they may have been named as historical characters. For example, Ruth goes to glean and it just so happens that she ends up in the field of Boaz. The name Orpa means back of neck, dis signifying her action to go away,. Boaz, pillar strength, and then Obed meaning servant.