Best Commentaries on Ruth

For over three decades Hubbard’s volume has anchored this list; Eerdmans has now replaced it in the series with this one, and the reception suggests the succession is worthy. Eric Tully calls it “outstanding” and “comprehensive without getting bogged down in irrelevant details,” and the reviewer for Themelios writes, “This is a wonderful commentary on a very special book. It was a joy to read.” Lau shows that the book is about God’s providence and kindness in preserving the family that would produce King David—which is to say, he keeps the story pointed where it points.

Ruth is one of the few books of the Bible that I have preached straight-through and, therefore, one I can speak to from at least a bit of personal experience. Hubbard’s receives near-unanimous praise and Keith Mathison says it well: “Robert Hubbard’s commentary on Ruth is a model of how commentaries should be written. It is careful and clear. It manages to deal with both details and the big picture. This is the first commentary to which one should turn with questions about the Book of Ruth.” It was certainly helpful to me. Though Lau’s volume has now replaced it in the series, Hubbard remains well worth owning if you come across a copy.

Block’s commentary covers both Judges and Ruth and is highly recommended for its treatment of both books. Longman gives it a 5-star rating and says “This contribution is clearly the best thing available on the book of Judges [and, Ruth]. Block is thoroughly aware of all the literature that precedes his own, and he incorporates what is good and criticizes what is bad.” He also praises Block’s insights along with his literary and theological analysis.

I read this one devotionally before reading it during sermon preparation and in both uses found it very, very helpful. It is a sermon-based commentary and ideal for giving an example of how to preach the text and how to illustrate and apply it. This is one of my favorites in the Reformed Expository Commentary series.

This commentary is significantly more technical than the others in the list, and a little more philosophical. Yet it is also very thorough and very helpful.

I read this little book years ago and returned to it when preaching Ruth. When I reviewed it many years ago I said, “Do not let its small size and relative obscurity fool you. This is a wonderful book and one that I trust can and will bless you as it has blessed me. There is much wisdom in its pages. There is much to ponder, to reflect upon, and to prayerfully integrate into a life.” I stand by those comments today. While it is not a commentary proper, it is still tremendously helpful.