Examining the Afro-Hebrew Religio-Cultural Affinity as reflected in the Book of Ruth: a comparative approach

ABSTRACT: This paper is an analysis of the book of Ruth indicating the close affinity between the African andBiblical (specifically Hebrew) cultures. The paper contains arguments that are geared towards highlighting thestriking closeness between the cultures of these two communities that lived worlds apart and without any knownmeans of cultural exchange. The objectives guiding this work include an examination of the theme of sufferingas portrayed through the persons of Naomi and Ruth, an analysis of the theme of vulnerability among women asportrayed through the experience of Naomi, Ruth and Orpha, a determination of the relationship betweenAfrican and Hebrew cultures in regard to the treatment of women by society and to highlight lessons that can belearnt from this text and which can be used to enhance the fight against gender-based injustices in Africa. Thiswork is based on the capability approach model as presented by Martha C. Nussbaum (2000), research wascarried out using sources and literary perusal and was interpreted using the grounded theory approach. Thepaper argues that there is validity in African cultural practices, contrary to what European missionaries wantedus to believe. It argues that Christian mission work today shold consider African cultre as a point of departure toplant Christian values, rather than a blanket condemnation of anything African. Consistent with the strongchsractor displayed by the Naomi-Ruth-Boaz triangle, present day governments and Christian bodies should putin place measures to ensure gender equity and equitability im the distribution of resourses. The paper concludesby advancing the view that the close affinity between African and Hebrew cultures may be a pointer to acommon origin for humankind.

KeyWords: Vulnerability, integrity, capability, resilience, kinsman-redeemer