canonical book of the Old Testament, being a kind of appendage to the book of Judges, and an introduction to those of Samuel, and having its title from the person whose story is there principally related. In this story are observable the ancient rights of kindred and redemption; and the manner of buying the inheritance of the deceased, with other particulars of great note and antiquity. The canonicalness of this book was never disputed; but the learned are not agreed about the epoch of the history which it relates. Ruth the Moabitess is found in the genealogy of our Saviour. (Matt. i. 5.)