Ruth was not an ethnic Moabite, she was an Israelite. For over 200 years Ruben, Gad and half of Manasseh occupied all the territory north of the Arnon to MT Hermon. Part of that territory was once Moab’s but the Amorites under King Sihon took it. Moab tried to take it back and for about 18 years succeeded, at least in that area. Israel fought back and it’s during this time that Naomi’s sons died. Boaz, a righteous Jew, followed Torah steps of redemption. As per the Deu 23:3 prohibition, Boaz could not have redeemed Ruth had she been a true Moabite. One can be an American, a Cuban, a Frenchman, etc and still be a Jew. Ruth was a Moabite Israelite, which like many had done in Israel back then, may have worshiped the local deities but after her husband died chose to do teshuva returning to Judah’s territory with Naomi.
Ruth was not an ethnic Moabite, she was an Israelite. For over 200 years Ruben, Gad and half of Manasseh occupied all the territory north of the Arnon to MT Hermon. Part of that territory was once Moab’s but the Amorites under King Sihon took it. Moab tried to take it back and for about 18 years succeeded, at least in that area. Israel fought back and it’s during this time that Naomi’s sons died. Boaz, a righteous Jew, followed Torah steps of redemption. As per the Deu 23:3 prohibition, Boaz could not have redeemed Ruth had she been a true Moabite. One can be an American, a Cuban, a Frenchman, etc and still be a Jew. Ruth was a Moabite Israelite, which like many had done in Israel back then, may have worshiped the local deities but after her husband died chose to do teshuva returning to Judah’s territory with Naomi.