Ruth 2:1
New International Version
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.

New Living Translation
Now there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.

English Standard Version
Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

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

New King James Version
There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.

New American Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a relative of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

NASB 1995
Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

NASB 1977
Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a mighty man of excellence, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Amplified Bible
Now Naomi had a relative of her husband, a man of great wealth and influence, from the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

Christian Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side. He was a prominent man of noble character from Elimelech’s family. His name was Boaz.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side named Boaz. He was a prominent man of noble character from Elimelech’s family.

American Standard Version
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Naomi had a relative. He was from Elimelech's side of the family. He was a man of outstanding character named Boaz.

Good News Translation
Naomi had a relative named Boaz, a rich and influential man who belonged to the family of her husband Elimelech.

International Standard Version
Naomi had a close relative of her late husband, a man of considerable wealth from the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

NET Bible
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side of the family named Boaz. He was a wealthy, prominent man from the clan of Elimelech.

New Heart English Bible
Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

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

World English Bible
Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Naomi has an acquaintance of her husband’s, a man mighty in wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name [is] Boaz.

Young's Literal Translation
And Naomi hath an acquaintance of her husband's, a man mighty in wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name is Boaz.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Naomi an acquaintance to her husband, a strong man of wealth, from the family of Elimelech; and his name Boaz.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now her husband Elimelech had a kinsman, a powerful man, and very rich, whose name was Booz.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But there was a man related to Elimelech, a powerful man, and very wealthy, named Boaz.

New American Bible
Naomi had a powerful relative named Boaz, through the clan of her husband Elimelech.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a well-known man of wealth, of the family of Elimeleck, whose name was Boaz.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Namei had one relative, a well known man from the family of Alimalek her husband, a man well known, and his name Baaz
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of valour, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Noemin had a friend an acquaintance of her husband, and the man was a mighty man of the kindred of Elimelech, and his name was Booz.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Boaz Meets Ruth
1Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. 2And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.…

Cross References
Ruth 4:13-17
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. / Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous in Israel. / He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” ...

Ruth 1:16-17
But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. / Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Ruth 3:9-11
“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.” / Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. / And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

Matthew 1:5-6
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, / and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Judges 21:25
In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

1 Samuel 9:1-2
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. / And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

1 Chronicles 2:11-12
Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz. / Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse.

Genesis 19:36-38
Thus both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. / The older daughter gave birth to a son and named him Moab. He is the father of the Moabites of today. / The younger daughter also gave birth to a son, and she named him Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites of today.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. / But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” ...

Leviticus 19:9-10
When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.

2 Samuel 2:4
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”

1 Kings 2:7
But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

Luke 3:32
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,

Matthew 22:23-33
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him. / “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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

kinsman

Ruth 3:2,12
And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor…

a mighty

Deuteronomy 8:17,18
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth…

Job 1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job 31:25
If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;

Ruth 4:21
And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

Judges 12:8-10
And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel…

1 Chronicles 2:10-12
And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah; …

Booz

Jump to Previous
Acquaintance Boaz Bo'az Clan Elimelech Elim'elech Husband Husband's Kinsman Mighty Naomi Na'omi Relation Relative Side Standing Valour Wealth
Jump to Next
Acquaintance Boaz Bo'az Clan Elimelech Elim'elech Husband Husband's Kinsman Mighty Naomi Na'omi Relation Relative Side Standing Valour Wealth
Ruth 2
1. Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz
4. Boaz takes notice of her
8. and shows her great favor
18. That which she got, she carries to Naomi














Now Naomi had a relative
The Hebrew word for "relative" here is "מוֹדַע" (môda‘), which indicates a close kin or acquaintance. This sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential care through family ties. In the ancient Near Eastern context, family and kinship were crucial for survival and social stability. Naomi's connection to this relative is a beacon of hope amidst her dire circumstances, reminding us of the importance of community and familial bonds in God's redemptive plan.

on her husband's side
This phrase emphasizes the patrilineal nature of inheritance and kinship in ancient Israel. The mention of Naomi's husband's side underscores the legal and social structures that governed property and family rights. It highlights the significance of male lineage in the preservation of family heritage, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. This context is vital for understanding the role Boaz will play as a kinsman-redeemer.

a man of standing
The Hebrew term used here is "גִּבּוֹר חַיִל" (gibbôr ḥayil), which can be translated as "a mighty man of valor" or "a man of wealth." This description of Boaz not only refers to his material wealth but also to his character and influence within the community. In a time when moral and social decay was prevalent, as depicted in the Book of Judges, Boaz stands out as a paragon of virtue and integrity. His character foreshadows the qualities of Christ, our ultimate Redeemer.

from the clan of Elimelech
The mention of the "clan of Elimelech" situates Boaz within a specific family lineage, which is crucial for the narrative's development. The clan system was integral to Israelite society, providing identity, support, and protection. Elimelech's name means "My God is King," which is ironic given the family's initial departure from Bethlehem due to famine. This connection to Elimelech's clan sets the stage for the restoration of Naomi's family line through Boaz's actions.

whose name was Boaz
The name "Boaz" is thought to mean "in him is strength" or "swift." Names in the Bible often carry significant meaning, reflecting the character or destiny of the individual. Boaz's name is fitting, as he becomes a source of strength and provision for Ruth and Naomi. His introduction by name marks the beginning of a pivotal relationship that will lead to the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ. Boaz's role as a kinsman-redeemer is a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through history.

(1) Boaz.--It has been already said that if there are any gaps in the genealogy, these are most probably to be referred to its earlier portion. According to the line, however, given in Ruth 4:18 seq., Boaz is grandson of the Nahshon who was prince of the tribe of Judah during the wanderings in the desert and son of Salmon and Rahab of Jericho. It may be noted that the difficulty of date may be lessened by supposing that in the last two generations we have children of their fathers' old age.

Verse 1. - And Naomi had, on her husband's side, a friend. The C'tib reading מְיֻדַּע (absolute מְיֻדָע) is much to be preferred to the K'ri מודַע. But מְיֻדָּע is ambiguous in import. It primarily means known, well-known, acquainted, an acquaintance (see Job 19:14; Psalm 55:13; Psalm 88:8, 18). But as intimate acquaintances, especially in a primitive and comparatively unwelded state of society, are generally found within the circle of kinsfolk, the word may be used, and is here used, in reference to a kinsman. The Vulgate translates it consanguineus. The translation is interpretatively correct; but the original term is less definite, and hence, in virtue of the ambiguity, there is not absolute redundancy in the appended clause, of the family or elan of Elimelech. This friend of Naomi on her husband s side is said, in King James's version, to be a mighty man of wealth. But the expression so rendered has, in the very numerous passages in which it occurs, a conventional import that stretches out in a different and nobler direction. It is the expression that is so frequently translated "a mighty man of valor (see Joshua 1:14; Joshua 6:2; Joshua 8:3; Joshua 10:7; Judges 6:12; Judges 11:1, etc.). In only one other passage is it rendered as it is by King James's translators in the passage before us, viz., in 2 Kings 15:20. There it is correctly so translated, interpretatively. Here there seems to be a leaning in the same direction, and yet it is not strongly pronounced. Cassel, however, takes the other cue, and translates "a valiant hero "Probably," says he "he had distinguished himself in the conflicts of Israel with their enemies." The expression originally means "strong in strength" (δυνατὸς ἰσχύι, Sept.), but is ambiguous in consequence of the many-sided import of the latter word מִשְׁפָחָה, which means originally, either strength, and then valor; or, clannish following (see Raabe), and then military host, or force, or forces; also, faculty or ability, and then, as so often "answering all things," riches or wealth. The idea the writer seems to be that the friend of the widow's husband was a strong and substantial yeoman. He was of the family or clan of Elimelech. The word family is conventionally too narrow, and the word elan too broad, to represent the import of שָׂדֶה as here used. The idea intended lies somewhere between. And his name was Boaz. The root of this name is not found, apparently, in Hebrew, as was supposed by the older philologists, and hence its essential idea is as yet undetermined. Raabe finds its original form in the Sanscrit bhuvanti, which yields the idea of prosperousness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Naomi
וּֽלְנָעֳמִ֞י (ū·lə·nā·‘o·mî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

had a relative
מוֹדַ֣ע (mō·w·ḏa‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

on her husband’s side,
לְאִישָׁ֗הּ (lə·’î·šāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

a prominent
גִּבּ֣וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

man
אִ֚ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of noble character
חַ֔יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

from the clan
מִמִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת (mim·miš·pa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

of Elimelech,
אֱלִימֶ֑לֶךְ (’ĕ·lî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 458: Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi

whose name
וּשְׁמ֖וֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

[was] Boaz.
בֹּֽעַז׃ (bō·‘az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1162: Boaz -- 'quickness', an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple


Links
Ruth 2:1 NIV
Ruth 2:1 NLT
Ruth 2:1 ESV
Ruth 2:1 NASB
Ruth 2:1 KJV

Ruth 2:1 BibleApps.com
Ruth 2:1 Biblia Paralela
Ruth 2:1 Chinese Bible
Ruth 2:1 French Bible
Ruth 2:1 Catholic Bible

OT History: Ruth 2:1 Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's (Ru Rut.)
Ruth 1:22
Top of Page
Top of Page