1162. Boaz
Lexical Summary
Boaz: Boaz

Original Word: בֹּעַז
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bo`az
Pronunciation: BO-az
Phonetic Spelling: (bo'-az)
KJV: Boaz
NASB: Boaz
Word Origin: [from an unused root of uncertain meaning]

1. Boaz, the ancestor of David
2. also the name of a pillar in front of the temple

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Boaz

From an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple -- Boaz.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
"quickness," an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple
NASB Translation
Boaz (24).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בֹּ֫עַז proper name, masculine (quickness ?) —

1 kinsman of Naomi, who married Ruth Ruth 2:1,3,4,5,8,11,14,15,19,23; Ruth 3:2,7; Ruth 4:1 (twice in verse); Ruth 4:5; Ruth 4:8; Ruth 4:9; Ruth 4:13; also Ruth 4:21 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 2:11,12 (ᵐ5 Βοος, Βοοζ).

2 name of the left hand of two pillars set up before temple (compare also יָכִין below כון) 1 Kings 7:21 2Chronicles 3:17; (meaning obscure; ᵑ0 apparently reference to 1, compare ᵑ72Chronicles 3:17; Thes supposes name of architect or donor; Ew perhaps sons of Solomon, etc.; read possibly בְּעֹז in strength, ᵐ52Chronicles 3:17 ἰσχύς; Th thinks יכין בעז a sentence, one word being engraved on each pillar, he (God) establisheth in strength; against him, however, Ke Be; Öttli thinks an exclamation, in strength ! expressing satisfaction of architect; Klo proposes for בעז, בַּעַל עֹז (compare B 1 Kings 7:21 Βαλαζ)).

Topical Lexicon
Historical Setting

Boaz appears exclusively in the days “when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1), a turbulent era in which covenant faithfulness was rare. His account unfolds in Bethlehem of Judah, anchoring the narrative of Ruth at the heart of Israel’s ancestral homeland.

Status and Reputation

Ruth 2:1 introduces him as “a man of great wealth”, a phrase that also conveys valor and noble standing. Boaz’s first recorded words reveal spiritual depth: “The LORD be with you” (Ruth 2:4). His servants’ immediate response, “The LORD bless you,” indicates mutual respect and a God‐centered workplace.

Kinsman-Redeemer

Under Mosaic law the nearest male relative could redeem property or raise an heir for a deceased kinsman (Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 25). Boaz fulfills both aspects:

• He preserves Elimelech’s land (Ruth 4:9).
• He marries Ruth “to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance” (Ruth 4:10).

His willingness contrasts sharply with the closer relative who relinquishes the right (Ruth 4:6–8), highlighting Boaz’s self-sacrificial character.

Provision and Protection

Boaz safeguards Ruth’s dignity while she gleans, commanding his men, “Do not rebuke her” (Ruth 2:15). He ensures abundant provision and personal refreshment (Ruth 2:14–16). These acts embody covenant kindness (ḥesed), reflecting the LORD’s own care for the vulnerable.

Marriage to Ruth

At the threshing floor Boaz perceives Ruth’s proposal as a call to redeem, not immorality (Ruth 3:9–13). His conduct in the gate before witnesses (Ruth 4:1–12) models transparency and legal integrity. When “the LORD enabled her to conceive” (Ruth 4:13), their union becomes the conduit of redemptive history.

Genealogical Legacy

Boaz fathers Obed, grandfather of David (Ruth 4:21–22; 1 Chronicles 2:11–12). Matthew 1:5 records the same line, placing Boaz in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Thus the kindness of one man in Bethlehem foreshadows the incarnation of the Redeemer born in the same town.

Typological Significance

1. Redeemer: By paying the price and taking Ruth as his bride, Boaz prefigures Christ, “who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).
2. Inclusion of Gentiles: Ruth’s acceptance anticipates the gospel call to the nations (Ephesians 2:12–13).
3. Restoration: Naomi moves from emptiness to fullness through Boaz’s actions, paralleling the believer’s restoration in Christ.

Boaz and the Temple Pillar

The name reappears in Solomon’s Temple: “He set up the pillars... and named the left pillar Boaz” (1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chronicles 3:17). As the pillar symbolized strength, it memorialized the steadfast faith of Boaz and pointed worshipers to the LORD as the source of enduring support.

Ministerial Applications

• Godly Leadership: Boaz shows how material influence can be used to bless others and uphold righteousness.
• Moral Integrity: He maintains purity in private (threshing floor) and public (city gate).
• Compassionate Action: Boaz’s proactive care for the poor and foreigner informs Christian stewardship and hospitality.
• Redemptive Hope: His account assures believers that personal faithfulness can have multigenerational impact, woven into God’s larger redemptive plan.

Key References

Ruth 2:1, 4, 11; 3:9–13; 4:9–13

1 Chronicles 2:11–12

1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chronicles 3:17

Forms and Transliterations
בֹ֗עַז בֹ֙עַז֙ בֹ֜עַז בֹּ֔עַז בֹּ֙עַז֙ בֹּ֤עַז בֹּ֨עַז בֹּֽעַז׃ בעז בעז׃ וּבֹ֖עַז וּבֹ֙עַז֙ וּבֹ֨עַז ובעז לְבֹ֔עַז לְבֹ֖עַז לבעז bō‘az ḇō‘az bō·‘az ḇō·‘az Boaz lə·ḇō·‘az ləḇō‘az leVoaz ū·ḇō·‘az ūḇō‘az uVoaz Voaz
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ruth 2:1
HEB: אֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ וּשְׁמ֖וֹ בֹּֽעַז׃
NAS: of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.
KJV: of Elimelech; and his name [was] Boaz.
INT: of Elimelech name was Boaz

Ruth 2:3
HEB: חֶלְקַ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ לְבֹ֔עַז אֲשֶׁ֖ר מִמִּשְׁפַּ֥חַת
NAS: of the field belonging to Boaz, who
KJV: of the field [belonging] unto Boaz, who [was] of the kindred
INT: to the portion of the field to Boaz who the family

Ruth 2:4
HEB: וְהִנֵּה־ בֹ֗עַז בָּ֚א מִבֵּ֣ית
NAS: Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem
KJV: And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem,
INT: now behold Boaz came Bethlehem

Ruth 2:5
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְנַעֲר֔וֹ הַנִּצָּ֖ב
NAS: Then Boaz said to his servant
KJV: Then said Boaz unto his servant
INT: said Boaz to his servant charge

Ruth 2:8
HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶל־ ר֜וּת
NAS: Then Boaz said to Ruth,
KJV: Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest
INT: said Boaz to Ruth

Ruth 2:11
HEB: וַיַּ֤עַן בֹּ֙עַז֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָ֔הּ
NAS: Boaz replied to her, All
KJV: And Boaz answered and said
INT: replied Boaz and said has been fully

Ruth 2:14
HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ לָ֨ה בֹ֜עַז לְעֵ֣ת הָאֹ֗כֶל
NAS: At mealtime Boaz said to her, Come
KJV: And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime
INT: said Boaz after eating

Ruth 2:15
HEB: לְלַקֵּ֑ט וַיְצַו֩ בֹּ֨עַז אֶת־ נְעָרָ֜יו
NAS: to glean, Boaz commanded
KJV: to glean, Boaz commanded
INT: to glean commanded Boaz his servants saying

Ruth 2:19
HEB: עִמּ֛וֹ הַיּ֖וֹם בֹּֽעַז׃
NAS: I worked today is Boaz.
KJV: with whom I wrought to day [is] Boaz.
INT: with today is Boaz

Ruth 2:23
HEB: וַתִּדְבַּ֞ק בְּנַעֲר֥וֹת בֹּ֙עַז֙ לְלַקֵּ֔ט עַד־
NAS: by the maids of Boaz in order to glean
KJV: by the maidens of Boaz to glean
INT: stayed the maids of Boaz to glean until

Ruth 3:2
HEB: וְעַתָּ֗ה הֲלֹ֥א בֹ֙עַז֙ מֹֽדַעְתָּ֔נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר
NAS: Now is not Boaz our kinsman,
KJV: And now [is] not Boaz of our kindred,
INT: Now is not Boaz our kinsman whose

Ruth 3:7
HEB: וַיֹּ֨אכַל בֹּ֤עַז וַיֵּשְׁתְּ֙ וַיִּיטַ֣ב
NAS: When Boaz had eaten and drunk
KJV: And when Boaz had eaten and drunk,
INT: had eaten Boaz and drunk was merry

Ruth 4:1
HEB: וּבֹ֨עַז עָלָ֣ה הַשַּׁעַר֮
NAS: Now Boaz went up to the gate
KJV: Then went Boaz up to the gate,
INT: now Boaz went to the gate

Ruth 4:1
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּר־ בֹּ֔עַז וַיֹּ֛אמֶר ס֥וּרָה
NAS: of whom Boaz spoke
KJV: there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake
INT: of whom spoke Boaz said Turn

Ruth 4:5
HEB: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בֹּ֔עַז בְּיוֹם־ קְנוֹתְךָ֥
NAS: Then Boaz said, On the day
KJV: Then said Boaz, What day
INT: said Boaz the day buy

Ruth 4:8
HEB: וַיֹּ֧אמֶר הַגֹּאֵ֛ל לְבֹ֖עַז קְנֵה־ לָ֑ךְ
NAS: said to Boaz, Buy
KJV: said unto Boaz, Buy
INT: said the closest to Boaz Buy removed

Ruth 4:9
HEB: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ בֹּ֨עַז לַזְּקֵנִ֜ים וְכָל־
NAS: Then Boaz said to the elders
KJV: And Boaz said unto the elders,
INT: said Boaz to the elders and all

Ruth 4:13
HEB: וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֹּ֤עַז אֶת־ רוּת֙
NAS: So Boaz took Ruth,
KJV: So Boaz took Ruth,
INT: took Boaz Ruth became

Ruth 4:21
HEB: הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ בֹּ֔עַז וּבֹ֖עַז הוֹלִ֥יד
NAS: was born Boaz, and to Boaz,
KJV: And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat
INT: Salmon was born Boaz Boaz was born

Ruth 4:21
HEB: אֶת־ בֹּ֔עַז וּבֹ֖עַז הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־
NAS: was born Boaz, and to Boaz, Obed,
KJV: begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
INT: was born Boaz Boaz was born Obed

1 Kings 7:21
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ בֹּֽעַז׃
NAS: pillar and named it Boaz.
KJV: and called the name thereof Boaz.
INT: and called the name Boaz

1 Chronicles 2:11
HEB: הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־ בֹּֽעַז׃
NAS: Salma became the father of Boaz,
KJV: and Salma begat Boaz,
INT: Salma the father of Boaz

1 Chronicles 2:12
HEB: וּבֹ֙עַז֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־
NAS: Boaz became the father
KJV: And Boaz begat Obed,
INT: Boaz became of Obed

2 Chronicles 3:17
HEB: וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשְּׂמָאלִ֖י בֹּֽעַז׃ ס
NAS: Jachin and the one on the left Boaz.
KJV: and the name of that on the left Boaz.
INT: and the name the left Boaz

24 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1162
24 Occurrences


bō·‘az — 16 Occ.
lə·ḇō·‘az — 2 Occ.
ū·ḇō·‘az — 3 Occ.
ḇō·‘az — 3 Occ.

1161
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