Boaz בֹּ֫עַז
Kinsman-redeemer who married Ruth, ancestor of David and Jesus
Biography
Boaz was a wealthy man from Bethlehem who played a significant role in the story of Ruth (Ruth 2-4). He was a relative of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech, and acted as a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth, a Moabite widow. When Ruth gleaned grain in Boaz's field, he showed her kindness and protection, recognizing her loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 2). Later, Naomi instructed Ruth to approach Boaz at night and request that he fulfill his role as a kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3). Boaz agreed to marry Ruth, after ensuring that a closer relative did not wish to claim this right (Rut.4.1-12). Their marriage led to the birth of Obed, who became the grandfather of King David (Rut.4.13-17). Boaz is also mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt. Rut.1.5; Luk.3.32), highlighting his importance in God's plan of redemption. Additionally, Boaz is associated with one of the two bronze pillars in Solomon's temple, which was named after him (1Ki.7.21; 1 Chr. 1Ki.2.11-12). His story demonstrates the importance of integrity, kindness, and faithfulness in fulfilling one's duties and God's purposes.
Family
Parents
In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 2 with study contentRuth 5 verses
- Ruth 2:1
"Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz."
- Ruth 2:3
"She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech."
- Ruth 2:4
"Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, “May Yahweh be with you.” They answered him, “May Yahweh bless you.”"
- Ruth 2:5
"Then Boaz said to his servant who was set over the reapers, “Whose young lady is this?”"
- Ruth 2:8
"Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens."
1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 7:21
"He set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. He set up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz."
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 2:11
"and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz,"
- 1 Chronicles 2:12
"and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;"
Matthew 1 verse
- Matthew 1:5
"Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse."
Study Matthew →
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 3:32
"the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֹּ֫עַז | H1162G |
| Greek | Greek | Βοόζ | G1003 |
Boaz
(1) A resident of Bethlehem and kinsman of Elimelech, Naomi's husband. In Ru 2:1 he is described as a gibbor chayil, a phrase which can mean either "a mighty man of valor" or else "a man of position and wealth." The latter is probably the sense in which the phrase is applied to Boaz (compare 1Sa 9:1). He had fields outside the town, and to them Ru went to glean. Boaz noticed her and extended special kindness and protection to her, bidding her remain with his female workers, and charging the men not to illtreat her, and also giving her of the reapers' food at mealtime. Boaz awoke one night and found Ru lying at his feet. He praised her virtue, and promised to take charge of her if her dead husband's next-of-kin failed to do so. He laid her case before the next-of-kin, and finally redeemed the family property himself and bought as well the right to take Ru in marriage. The son of Boaz and Ru was Obed, father of Jesse, and grandfather of David. 1Ch 2:11,12 makes Boaz a descendant of Hezron, and so probably a chief of the Hezronite clan in Bethlehem. Jewish tradition identifies Boaz with Ibzan (Jud 12:8-10).
Boaz "is set before us as a model of piety, generosity and chastity" (H. P. Smith, Old Testament History, 398). He found virtue and rewarded it. HPM, sections 501-8, gives a picture of the life of "a well-to-do landed proprietor of central Palestine," much of which could aptly be taken as a description of Boaz.
(2) The name of one of the two bronze pillars erected in front of Solomon's temple, the other being Jachin (1Ki 7:21; 2Ch 3:17).
See JACHIN AND BOAZ; TEMPLE.
David Francis Roberts
bok'-as (Bokkas): A priest in the line of Ezra (1 Esdras 8:2) called Bukki in Ezr 7:4 and Borith in 2 Esdras 1:2.
bo'-ke-roo (bokheru): A