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Boaz
Illustration created for this project.

Boaz

A wealthy landowner of Bethlehem who redeemed and married Ruth; grandfather of Jesse and ancestor of David.

Role: Kinsman-redeemer
Lived: c. 11th century BC
Tribe/lineage: Judah
Born: Bethlehem

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2
Family & lineage
BibleSon of Rahab and Salmon.
Ruth 2:1
Rahab · Salmon
BibleHusband of Ruth.
Ruth 2:1
Ruth
Tribe & people
BibleOf the tribe of Judah.
Ruth 2:1
Life, role & deeds
ScholarlyA rabbinic tradition identifies Boaz of Bethlehem with the minor judge Ibzan of Bethlehem, harmonizing two Bethlehemite figures; this is a late interpretive tradition, not external attestation of the man.
Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 91a.
Name & titles
ScholarlyThe Hebrew name Boaz (bo'az) has an uncertain derivation; it is popularly parsed as 'in him is strength' (bo + 'oz), though this is best regarded as a folk etymology rather than a secure philological result.
Onomastic analysis of Hebrew בֹּעַז; standard lexica (e.g. HALOT) flag the etymology as uncertain.

Where in scripture

Ruth1 Kings1 ChroniclesMatthewLuke
Ruth 2:1Ruth 3:2Ruth 3:7Ruth 4:1Ruth 4:5Ruth 4:8Ruth 4:9Ruth 4:13Ruth 4:211 Kings 7:211 Chronicles 2:111 Chronicles 2:12Matthew 1:5Luke 3:32

Family

In their own words — 10 recorded sayings

“And Boaz came from Beth-lehem, and said to the grain-cutters, The Lord be with you. And they made answer, The Lord give you his blessing.” — Ruth 2:4
“Then Boaz said to his servant who was in authority over the cutters, Whose girl is this?” — Ruth 2:5
“Then said Boaz to Ruth, Give ear to me, my daughter: do not go to take up the grain in another field, or go away from here, but keep here by my young women: Keep your eyes on the field they are cutting, and go after them; have I not given orders to the young men not to put a hand on you? And when you are in need of drink go to the vessels and take of what the young men have put there.” — Ruth 2:8-9
“And Boaz answering said to her, I have had news of everything you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband; how you went away from your father and mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people who are strange to you. The Lord give you a reward for what you have done, and may a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take cover.” — Ruth 2:11-12
“And at meal-time Boaz said to her, Come here, and take some of the bread, and put your bit into the wine. And she took her seat among the grain-cutters: and he gave her dry grain, and she took it, and there was more than enough for her meal. And when she got ready to take up the grain, Boaz gave his young men orders, saying, Let her take it even from among the cut grain, and say nothing to her. And let some heads of grain be pulled out of what has been corded up, and dropped for her to take, and let no sharp word be said to her.” — Ruth 2:14-16
“And he said, Who are you? And she answering said, I am your servant Ruth: take your servant as wife, for you are a near relation.” — Ruth 3:9
“And he said, May the Lord give you his blessing, my daughter: even better than what you did at the first is this last kind act you have done, in not going after young men, with or without wealth. And now, my daughter, have no fear; I will do for you whatever you say: for it is clear to all my townspeople that you are a woman of virtue. Now it is true that I am a near relation: but there is a relation nearer than I. Take your rest here tonight; and in the morning, if he will do for you what it is right for a relation to do, very well, let him do so: but if he will not, then by the living Lord…” — Ruth 3:10-15
“And Boaz went up to the public place of the town, and took his seat there: and the near relation of whom he had been talking came by; and Boaz, crying out to him by name, said, Come and be seated here. And he came and was seated. Then he got ten of the responsible men of the town, and said, Be seated here. And they took their seats. Then he said to the near relation, Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is offering for a price that bit of land which was our brother Elimelech's: And it was in my mind to give you the chance of taking it, with the approval of those seated here and…” — Ruth 4:1-4

…and 2 more recorded sayings.

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).

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