Bo'az
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Bo'az is a significant figure in the Old Testament, primarily known for his role in the Book of Ruth. He is a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem and a relative of Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband. Bo'az's account is a testament to his character, faithfulness, and the providence of God in the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Lineage and Background

Bo'az is introduced in the Book of Ruth as "a man of standing" (Ruth 2:1), indicating his wealth, influence, and reputation in the community. He is the son of Salmon and Rahab, the latter being the Canaanite woman who hid the Israelite spies in Jericho (Matthew 1:5). This lineage highlights the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan, as Rahab was a non-Israelite who became part of the Israelite community through her faith.

Role in the Book of Ruth

Bo'az's primary narrative occurs in the Book of Ruth, where he emerges as a kinsman-redeemer for Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, Naomi's son. Ruth, having returned with Naomi to Bethlehem, gleans in Bo'az's fields to provide for herself and her mother-in-law. Bo'az notices her diligence and kindness and instructs his workers to leave extra grain for her, demonstrating his generosity and compassion (Ruth 2:8-16).

Bo'az's role as a kinsman-redeemer is pivotal. According to the Levirate marriage custom, a close relative could marry a widow to preserve the family line and property. Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Bo'az for this purpose, and Ruth does so with humility and respect (Ruth 3:9). Bo'az responds with integrity, acknowledging Ruth's loyalty and virtue, and agrees to redeem her if a closer relative declines the responsibility (Ruth 3:10-13).

Marriage to Ruth and Legacy

Bo'az's actions at the city gate, where he negotiates with the nearer kinsman, reflect his commitment to righteousness and the law. When the nearer kinsman relinquishes his right, Bo'az publicly declares his intention to marry Ruth, thus securing her and Naomi's future (Ruth 4:9-10). Their marriage is blessed by the community, and Ruth bears a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-17).

Theological Significance

Bo'az is often seen as a type of Christ, embodying the role of a redeemer who acts selflessly to restore and protect. His account illustrates themes of redemption, providence, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's covenant community. Through Bo'az, the lineage leading to David and ultimately to Jesus is preserved, underscoring God's sovereign plan in salvation history.

Bo'az's life and actions exemplify faithfulness, kindness, and obedience to God's law, making him a model of godly character and a key figure in the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes.
Greek
1003. Boos -- Boaz, an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Boaz (3). Boaz. Of Hebrew origin (Bo'az); Booz, (ie Boaz), an Israelite
-- Booz. see HEBREW Bo'az. (boes) -- 2 Occurrences. (boos) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1003.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
1162. Boaz -- "quickness," an ancestor of David, also a pillar ...
... Boaz. 1163 . "quickness," an ancestor of David, also a pillar before the temple.
Transliteration: Boaz Phonetic Spelling: (bo'-az) Short Definition: Boaz. ...
/hebrew/1162.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Bo'az (24 Occurrences)
Bo'az. Boaz, Bo'az. Boaz's . Multi-Version Concordance Bo'az (24 Occurrences).
Matthew 1:5 Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. ...
/b/bo'az.htm - 12k

Boaz (25 Occurrences)
... BOAZ. bo'-az (bo`az; Booz; "quickness" (?) Ruth 2-4 1 Chronicles 2:11, 12; Matthew
1:5 Luke 3:32): (1) A resident of Bethlehem and kinsman of Elimelech, Naomi's ...
/b/boaz.htm - 19k

Jachin (8 Occurrences)
... ja'-kin (yakhin, "he shall establish"; bo`az, "in it is strength," 1 Kings
7:15-22 2 Kings 25:16, 17; 2 Chronicles 3:15-17 Jeremiah 52:17): These were the ...
/j/jachin.htm - 12k

Boaz's (1 Occurrence)

/b/boaz's.htm - 6k

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Concordance
Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:5
Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse.
(See RSV)

Luke 3:32
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:1
Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:3
She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:4
Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, "Yahweh be with you." They answered him, "Yahweh bless you."
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:5
Then said Boaz to his servant who was set over the reapers, "Whose young lady is this?"
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:8
Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter. Don't go to glean in another field, and don't go from here, but stay here close to my maidens.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:11
Boaz answered her, "It has fully been shown me, all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband; and how you have left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn't know before.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:14
At meal time Boaz said to her, "Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar." She sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she ate, and was satisfied, and left some of it.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:15
When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:19
Her mother-in-law said to her, "Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you." She showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, "The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz."
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:23
So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.
(See RSV)

Ruth 3:2
Now isn't Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor.
(See RSV)

Ruth 3:7
When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and laid her down.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:1
Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, "Ho, such a one! Turn aside, sit down here." He turned aside, and sat down.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:5
Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance."
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:8
So the near kinsman said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." He took off his shoe.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:9
Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, from the hand of Naomi.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:21
and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed,
(See RSV)

1 Kings 7:21
He set up the pillars at the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 2:11
and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz,
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 2:12
and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 3:17
He set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Bo'az

Related Terms

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Jachin (8 Occurrences)

Boaz's (1 Occurrence)

Boaz
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