Ruth's status as Judaism's archetypal convert stems not from the biblical text itself but from later rabbinic interpretation. Though her famous declaration to Naomi ("your god will be my god") appears to describe religious conversion, careful analysis of the Hebrew term "Elohim" reveals a more nuanced reality. Through philological examination of Hebrew terminology and comparative study of biblical conversion narratives, particularly those of Rahab and Naaman, this research demonstrates that Ruth's transformation was primarily ethnic rather than theological. The term "Elohim" carried both monotheistic and polytheistic connotations in Hebrew, making Ruth's statement fundamentally ambiguous. Her commitment aligns more closely with ancient Near Eastern concepts of national-divine relationships, where loyalty to a people automatically entailed acceptance of their deity. Rahab's politically expedient recognition of YHWH and Naaman's pragmatic addition of YHWH to his existing beliefs further support that biblical narratives did not presume gentiles worshipped false gods requiring correction. This reframing of Ruth's story holds particular relevance for modern conversion experiences, where communal belonging often takes precedence over theological transformation.