Who Was Boaz in the Bible?
Quick Summary
Boaz was a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem, a man known for integrity, generosity, and faithfulness to God’s law. He appears in the Book of Ruth as a protector of the vulnerable and as a kinsman-redeemer who restores Naomi’s family line by marrying Ruth. Through this quiet act of covenant faithfulness, Boaz becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, of Jesus.
Introduction
Boaz enters the biblical story without fanfare. He is not a prophet, judge, or king. He holds no public office and performs no miracles. Yet his presence shapes one of Scripture’s most human and hope-filled stories.
The Book of Ruth is set during the time of the judges, a period marked by instability and moral fragmentation. Against that backdrop, Boaz stands out as a man who lives differently. His story shows how ordinary faithfulness can become the means through which God preserves promises that stretch far beyond a single lifetime.
Understanding who Boaz was helps illuminate themes of redemption, belonging, and covenant loyalty that run from the Torah through the monarchy and into the New Testament.
Boaz’s Background and Social Standing
Boaz lived in Bethlehem of Judah and is described as a man of standing, often translated as a “worthy man” or a man of substance (Ruth 2:1). The phrase suggests more than wealth. It points to reputation, character, and social responsibility.
As a landowner, Boaz occupied a position of power in an agrarian society. Fields meant food security, employment, and survival for others. How landowners treated the poor mattered deeply, and the law of Moses addressed this imbalance by commanding practices like gleaning, which allowed the vulnerable to gather leftover grain (Leviticus 19:9–10).
Boaz’s wealth places him in a position where obedience to God’s law is not theoretical. It affects real people in real ways.
Boaz and Ruth’s First Encounter
Boaz first encounters Ruth when she is gleaning in his fields to support herself and her mother-in-law Naomi (Ruth 2:5). Ruth is a Moabite widow, an outsider both ethnically and socially.
Rather than questioning her presence or exploiting her vulnerability, Boaz ensures her protection. He instructs his workers not to harass her, provides her with water, and invites her to eat with his household. His actions go beyond the minimum requirements of the law.
Boaz’s treatment of Ruth reveals a posture of generosity shaped by reverence for God. He recognizes her faithfulness to Naomi and blesses her in the name of the Lord, acknowledging that she has taken refuge under God’s wings (Ruth 2:12).
Boaz as a Kinsman-Redeemer
The central role Boaz plays in the story is that of the kinsman-redeemer. According to Israelite law, a close male relative could redeem land or family members who had fallen into poverty, preserving the family’s place within Israel (Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:5–10).
Naomi identifies Boaz as one of these redeemers (Ruth 2:20). However, Boaz is not the closest relative. This detail becomes crucial when Ruth approaches him at the threshing floor, following Naomi’s guidance (Ruth 3).
Boaz responds with restraint and clarity. He affirms Ruth’s courage and loyalty but insists on honoring the legal process. His integrity is demonstrated not only in his willingness to redeem but in his refusal to bypass another’s rights.
The Legal Redemption at the City Gate
In Ruth 4, Boaz brings the matter before the elders at the city gate. He presents the opportunity to redeem Naomi’s land to the nearer kinsman, who declines once he learns that redemption includes marriage to Ruth.
Only then does Boaz publicly assume the role of redeemer. The transaction is formal, witnessed, and lawful. Boaz acquires the land and marries Ruth, ensuring that the family line of Naomi’s deceased husband is preserved.
This scene emphasizes that redemption in Scripture is not impulsive or sentimental. It is communal, accountable, and rooted in covenant responsibility.
Boaz, Ruth, and the Line of David
The story concludes with a genealogy that links Boaz and Ruth to King David (Ruth 4:18–22). What begins as a personal act of faithfulness becomes part of Israel’s royal story.
This connection is later echoed in the Gospel genealogies, where Boaz appears as an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). The inclusion of Ruth, a foreigner, underscores the breadth of God’s redemptive purposes.
Boaz does not live to see the full scope of this legacy. His faithfulness bears fruit generations later, reminding readers that obedience often carries significance beyond immediate outcomes.
Theological Significance of Boaz
Boaz embodies hesed, a Hebrew word often translated as steadfast love or covenant loyalty. His actions reflect a deep alignment between law and compassion.
He also offers a lived picture of redemption. Rather than abstract theology, Boaz’s story shows redemption unfolding through fairness, generosity, and courage. It is costly, deliberate, and relational.
In Christian interpretation, Boaz is often seen as a type or foreshadowing of Christ, not because the text demands it, but because his role mirrors themes fulfilled in Jesus: redemption, inclusion, and restoration.
Why Boaz Still Matters
Boaz matters because his life resists the assumption that faithfulness must be dramatic to be meaningful. He honors God in fields, conversations, legal proceedings, and relationships.
His story invites reflection on how power is used, how strangers are treated, and how commitments are kept. In a time described as morally chaotic, Boaz shows that covenant faithfulness can still take root.
Boaz reminds readers that God’s purposes often move forward through ordinary people who choose to act with integrity when it would be easier not to.
FAQs
Was Boaz rich or just respected?
Boaz was both. He owned land and had workers, indicating wealth, but the biblical text emphasizes his character and reputation as much as his resources.
Why was Ruth allowed to glean in Boaz’s fields?
The law of Moses required landowners to leave portions of the harvest for the poor, widows, and foreigners. Boaz obeyed this law and extended kindness beyond its minimum requirements.
Did Boaz have to marry Ruth?
No. Boaz chose to act as redeemer after the closer relative declined. His decision was voluntary but rooted in covenant responsibility.
Why is Boaz important in the genealogy of Jesus?
Boaz’s marriage to Ruth places a Gentile woman within the lineage of David and Jesus, highlighting the inclusive scope of God’s redemptive plan.
Works Consulted
Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. New American Commentary. Broadman & Holman.
Hubbard, Robert L. The Book of Ruth. Eerdmans.
Campbell, Edward F. Ruth. Anchor Yale Bible.
