Naomi the unknown trickster

Abstract

Little has been known about Naomi’s deception in the book of Ruth. Some have claimed that Ruth actually deceived Boaz. Others have argued that Naomi caused Ruth to deceive Boaz. Naomi’s deception is so elaborately hidden in the narrative that it is difficult to detect. However, several incidents in the narrative appear to provide evidence that she was continuing to deceive her victims. On the one hand, therefore, one fell for the trick. On the other hand, another was able to escape the trick with someone's help and even meet the end of a good turnaround.