Who was Boaz in the Bible?

Boaz was a wealthy and godly landowner from Bethlehem, known for his kindness and integrity. He is most famous for marrying Ruth, a Moabite widow, after redeeming her family's land (Ruth 2-4).

Why is Boaz important in the Bible?

Boaz is a crucial figure because he became the great-grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:21-22). This lineage places him as a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5).

What is the story of Boaz and Ruth?

The story involves Boaz showing kindness to Ruth, a poor foreigner gleaning in his fields. He later acts as a 'kinsman-redeemer,' marrying her to preserve her family line, which is a central theme in the Book of Ruth (Ruth 3-4).

Boaz

Both TestamentsMaleSon of salmon

Boaz, a wealthy Bethlehemite, married Ruth and became an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ.

Boaz

Biography

Boaz was a prosperous landowner from Bethlehem in Judah, a man of the clan of Elimelech and a relative of Naomi's deceased husband (Ruth 2:1). He first encountered Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, gleaning in his fields after the barley harvest. Struck by reports of her loyalty to Naomi and her embrace of Israel's God, Boaz extended remarkable generosity, instructing his workers to leave extra grain for her and ensuring her safety. He subsequently fulfilled the role of kinsman-redeemer (go'el), redeeming Elimelech's land and marrying Ruth (Ruth 4:9-10). Their union produced Obed, the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:17), placing Boaz directly in the royal and Messianic lineage recorded in Matthew 1:5. He is cited as a son of Salmon and Rahab the harlot.

Significance

Boaz is one of Scripture's most luminous portraits of redemptive love in action. As kinsman-redeemer, he embodies the theological concept of the go'el, one who restores what has been lost, who rescues the vulnerable from destitution, and who acts at personal cost for another's benefit. The New Testament explicitly places Boaz in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5), making him a direct ancestor of the one who is the ultimate Redeemer. His character, marked by integrity, generosity, and covenantal faithfulness, prefigures Christ's redemptive work. His willingness to redeem a Gentile outsider and incorporate her into Israel's covenant community anticipates the inclusion of the nations in the gospel. Boaz teaches that hesed, steadfast, covenant love, is the heartbeat of genuine faith.

Verse Appearances (15)

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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Boaz

Biography

Significance

Verse Appearances (15)

Ruth

1 Kings

1 Chronicles

Matthew

Luke

References