In this arrangement, Ruth follows directly on the heels of Proverbs 31:10–31 (which focuses on ’eshet hayil, “a wife of noble character” [lit. “a woman of strength of character”]). Ruth is called an ’eshet hayil (“a woman of noble character” [lit. “a woman of strength of character”]) in Ruth 3:11.7 Obviously, this order has probably developed from thematic associations.
