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Boaz

maleJudges

Meaning: “In him is strength

A godly landowner of Bethlehem who redeemed and married Ruth, becoming the great-grandfather of King David and a picture of Christ the Redeemer.

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Biography

Boaz, a wealthy and godly landowner of Bethlehem, is the hero of the book of Ruth — the kinsman-redeemer whose kindness and integrity brought a Moabite widow into the royal and messianic line, and who serves as one of Scripture's clearest pictures of Christ.

Kindness in the harvest field

When Ruth gleaned in his fields, Boaz showed her notable favor, protecting her and providing for her, and blessed her: "a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust" (Ruth 2:12).

The kinsman-redeemer

At Naomi's counsel Ruth appealed to Boaz to act as her goel. A nearer kinsman declined the duty, so Boaz publicly redeemed Naomi's land and took Ruth as his wife at the city gate before the elders (Ruth 4:9–10).

Great-grandfather of David

Ruth bore Boaz a son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:21–22). Boaz — himself the son of Rahab of Jericho (Matthew 1:5) — thus stands in the direct genealogy of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Redeemer of His people.

Life Timeline

1129 BC

Shows kindness to Ruth gleaning in his field

Ruth 2:8
1129 BC

Redeems Naomi’s land and marries Ruth

Ruth 4:9
1128 BC

Becomes father of Obed, grandfather of David

Ruth 4:21

On the Bible timeline

Boaz belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).

  1. c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges

Family Tree

Parents
BBoazJudges
spouse shown beside
Children
Selah · myselahh.com

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Themes & lessons from Boaz

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Boaz appears.

Ruth12×Inheritance5×Heir4×Marriage4×Reaping4×Witness4×Dowry3×Government3×Land3×Redemption3×Agriculture or Husbandry2×Entertainments2×Obed2×Threshing2×Covenants1×Elimelech1×Genealogy1×Gleaning1×

People they appear with

Naomi3×
Ruth3×
Obed1×
Nahshon1×
Jesse1×

Scripture Appearances

20 verses in 2 books
Ruth18 verses

Ruth 2:1

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. Boaz: Gr. Booz

Ruth 2:3

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech. hap: Heb. hap happened

Ruth 2:4

And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

Ruth 2:5

Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Ruth 2:8

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Ruth 2:11

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

Ruth 2:14

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

Ruth 2:15

And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: reproach: Heb. shame her not

Ruth 2:19

And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.

Ruth 2:23

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Ruth 3:2

And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Ruth 3:7

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Ruth 4:1

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Ruth 4:5

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Ruth 4:8

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

Ruth 4:9

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

Ruth 4:13

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

Ruth 4:21

And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

1 Chronicles2 verses

1 Chronicles 2:11

And Nahshon begat Salma, and Salma begat Boaz,

1 Chronicles 2:12

And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,

Frequently asked about Boaz

Who was Boaz in the Bible?

A godly landowner of Bethlehem who redeemed and married Ruth, becoming the great-grandfather of King David and a picture of Christ the Redeemer.

What does the name Boaz mean?

The name Boaz means “In him is strength”.

What did Boaz do in the Bible?

Boaz served as landowner, kinsman-redeemer, of the tribe of Judah.

Who were Boaz's children?

Boaz's children include Obed.

Who were Boaz's parents?

Boaz was the child of Salmon, Rahab.

Where does Boaz appear in the Bible?

Boaz is mentioned 20 times across 2 books: Ruth, 1 Chronicles.

What can we learn from Boaz?

The story of Boaz touches on themes of ruth, inheritance, heir, marriage — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Boaz's life.

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