The Women in the
Genealogy of Jesus
- Part 2
7 January 2022
Continuing our reflection on the women mentioned by St Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus, we now turn to the next two women: Ruth and Bathsheba. It is important to note that Bathsheba is not mentioned by name in Matthew’s Gospel; instead, she is referred to simply as “the wife of Uriah.” This deliberate choice carries deep theological meaning.
3) Ruth
The Book of Ruth is often described as one of the most beautiful love stories in the Bible. Yet it is also a story of loyalty, faith, obedience, and God’s providence.
The Story of Ruth
A man named Elimelech from Bethlehem in Judah migrated to Moab with his wife Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, during a time of famine. As the sons grew older, they married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth.
Tragedy soon struck the family. Elimelech died, followed later by both sons. Naomi was left with her two daughters-in-law. Recognizing that Orpah and Ruth were still young and could remarry, Naomi urged them to return to their parents’ homes while she returned to Judah.
After some persuasion, Orpah returned home, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi, knowing her mother-in-law would need care and companionship. Ruth chose to accompany Naomi back to Judah.
Upon their return, Ruth asked Naomi for permission to glean in the fields behind the reapers, since it was harvest time. Naomi agreed. Ruth happened—by what may seem like chance, but was clearly divine providence—to glean in the fields belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi.
When Boaz arrived and noticed Ruth, he asked his servants who she was. Upon learning that she was Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, Boaz showed her great kindness. He instructed her to remain in his fields, allowed her to drink from the water reserved for workers, and commanded his men not to disturb her. He even instructed them to leave extra grain behind for her to gather.
At midday, Boaz invited Ruth to share the same food prepared for the workers. By the end of the day, Ruth had gleaned nearly an ephah of barley—an extraordinary amount. When Naomi saw what Ruth had brought home, she was amazed. Ruth explained everything that had happened, and Naomi recognized God’s hand at work.
Ruth continued to glean in Boaz’s fields until the end of the barley and wheat harvests.
Ruth and Boaz
Recognizing Boaz’s kindness and knowing he was a close relative, Naomi devised a plan according to the customs of the time. She instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor after Boaz had eaten and fallen asleep and to lie at his feet.
Though this might appear risky by modern standards, Ruth trusted Naomi’s wisdom. When Boaz awoke and discovered Ruth at his feet, she reminded him that he was her kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz treated Ruth with dignity and respect. He acknowledged her integrity and explained that another relative had a closer claim. Boaz promised to settle the matter lawfully. He ensured Ruth’s safety through the night and sent her away discreetly at dawn.
The next day, Boaz presented the matter before the elders of the city. When the closer relative declined, Boaz publicly declared his intention to take Ruth as his wife. The elders witnessed the marriage.
Understanding the Story of Ruth
Gleaning and the Law of Moses
The Law of Moses commanded landowners not to harvest their fields completely. The remaining grain was to be left for the poor and foreigners:
<Leviticus 19:9–10>
Ruth, being both poor and a foreigner, was fully entitled to glean. Her request reflects her understanding of God’s law.
Biblical Measurements
Scripture tells us that Ruth gathered nearly an ephah of barley in one day. Exodus 16:16 explains that an omer of manna was sufficient food for one person per day, and Exodus 16:36 states that an omer is one-tenth of an ephah. Ruth therefore gathered enough food to sustain one person for approximately ten days.
Why Did St Matthew Mention Ruth?
Ruth was a foreigner who embraced the God and customs of Israel—and Israel accepted her in return. By including Ruth in the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew highlights the inclusivity of God’s plan. It is also worth noting that Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab, another woman named in Jesus’ genealogy.
Lessons from Ruth
- A man should never take advantage of a woman, even when given the opportunity.
- Marriage should take place openly, in the presence and knowledge of the community.
4) Bathsheba
(2 Samuel 11–12)
The story of Bathsheba is one of the most tragic accounts in Scripture. She was the wife of Uriah, a loyal soldier in King David’s army. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Bathsheba bathing and lusted after her.
David summoned her to the palace, slept with her, and she became pregnant. In an attempt to conceal his sin, David recalled Uriah from battle and urged him to spend time with his wife. Uriah refused, remaining loyal to his fellow soldiers. David then arranged for Uriah to be placed in the fiercest part of the battle, where he was killed.
After Uriah’s death, David married Bathsheba. Though there was public celebration, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan declared that the child conceived would die. As foretold, the child died shortly after birth. Later, Bathsheba bore David another son—Solomon—who became king and was loved by God.
Addressing Questions About Bathsheba
Bathsheba was not acting immodestly. According to <Leviticus 15:19>, she was performing ritual cleansing after her menstrual cycle. Scripture places responsibility entirely on David.
Bathsheba likely complied with the king’s summons because both her husband and her father served the king. She would not have suspected wrongdoing. Moreover, David held absolute authority, leaving her little choice.
Uriah’s refusal to return home reflects a military code of conduct that forbade soldiers from relaxing while their comrades were at war. Even after David made him drunk, Uriah remained faithful to this code.
When Nathan confronts David, he condemns David alone, comparing Bathsheba to a helpless ewe lamb (<2 Samuel 12:2–3>).
Why Did St Matthew Mention Bathsheba?
Bathsheba is the only woman in the genealogy not mentioned by name, identified instead as “the wife of Uriah.” Matthew is not highlighting Bathsheba herself, but David’s grave sin. Despite this sin, God chose Solomon—her son—to continue the royal line and ultimately the lineage of Jesus.
At the time of Jesus, many believed children were punished for their parents’ sins (<John 9:2>). Yet Scripture clarifies this misunderstanding (<Deuteronomy 24:16>, <Ezekiel 18:20>), and Jesus Himself affirms:
<John 9:3> “Neither this man nor his parents sinned…”
Final Reflections
Even today, people sometimes judge families facing suffering as though they are being punished for sin. This attitude mirrors that of the Pharisees and contradicts the Gospel.
Why God allowed the first child of David and Bathsheba to die remains a mystery. As Scripture reminds us (<Isaiah 55:8–9>), God’s ways are not our ways. What we do know is that David’s sincere repentance followed this tragedy—and repentance remains central to God’s mercy.
Using suffering as a reason to judge others places us dangerously close to the mindset Jesus repeatedly condemned.
References
- Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. © 1989 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Photo Credit: Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels