Boaz was an important figure in the Old Testament book of Ruth. He was the wealthy landowner who showed kindness to Ruth, a widowed Moabite woman, allowing her to glean in his fields. Boaz eventually took Ruth as his wife, providing security and offspring for her as she sought refuge under the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 2:12).
Here is a summary of key facts about Boaz in the Bible:
- He was from Bethlehem in Judah (Ruth 1:1-2)
- He was a wealthy landowner and pillar of the community (Ruth 2:1)
- He showed kindness to Ruth, a poor foreign widow, allowing her to glean grain in his fields (Ruth 2:2-9)
- He was a kinsman-redeemer to Ruth’s deceased husband Mahlon, able to marry her and preserve Mahlon’s family line (Ruth 3:9,12-13)
- He married Ruth and they had a son named Obed, who became the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13-17)
- As Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, he was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as redeemer (Ruth 3:9; 4:14)
Now let’s take a deeper look at the story of Boaz in the book of Ruth:
1. Boaz was from Bethlehem in Judah
The book of Ruth begins by introducing Boaz’s hometown: “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons” (Ruth 1:1). Bethlehem was a small town about 5 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Originally called Ephrath, it gained fame as the city where Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:19) and where David, Israel’s greatest king, was born and raised (1 Samuel 17:12). Micah 5:2 even prophesies that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.
So Ruth takes place in a humble little town that God chose for great purpose in salvation history. Boaz was a native of this unassuming place marked out for divine plans. Bethlehem means “house of bread,” which is fitting as Boaz provided bread for the widowed and childless Ruth.
2. Boaz was a wealthy landowner and pillar of the community
Though from modest Bethlehem, the introduction of Boaz shows he has become a man of high standing: “Now Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz” (Ruth 2:1). The text specifies two key things about Boaz:
- He was a “relative” of Naomi’s deceased husband Elimelech.
- He was a “worthy man” from the clan of Elimelech.
As a close relative, Boaz had the ability to become family guardian and redeemer to Naomi and Ruth. As a “worthy” or “valiant” man, he had distinguished himself in the community as a man of godly character and means. Further details bear this out.
When Ruth goes to glean grain from Boaz’s field, the foreman describes him as the owner of the field (Ruth 2:5). At mealtime, Boaz invites Ruth to dip her morsel in the wine vinegar, a choice item typically reserved for harvesters of higher class (Ruth 2:14). Boaz later goes to the city gate, a center of business dealings, indicating he is a respected community member (Ruth 4:1).
So Boaz is introduced as a prosperous landowner and upstanding citizen in Bethlehem. Yet he will use his wealth and influence to care for two impoverished widows.
3. Boaz showed great kindness to Ruth
At the heart of the book is the extraordinary kindness Boaz showed to Ruth in adversity. Both widowed, Naomi and Ruth returned destitute to Bethlehem from Moab after ten years away. With no means of provision as childless widows, Ruth took initiative to glean leftover grain in the harvest fields. God providentially led Ruth to the field belonging to Boaz.
Seeing Ruth working humbly and diligently as a foreigner, Boaz showed her remarkable kindness and protection beyond what the Mosaic law required. Here are some highlights:
- He invited her to only glean in his fields where she would be safe (Ruth 2:8-9)
- He ordered his reapers to purposely leave extra grain for her to gather (Ruth 2:15-16)
- He had her join the reapers for meals and gave her Parmesan bread and roasted grain (Ruth 2:14)
- He instructed his workers not to harass her, providing safety for a foreign woman (Ruth 2:9)
- When harvest ended, he ordered that bundles of grain be left for her, about 30 pounds (Ruth 2:15-16)
In every way, Boaz looked out for a stranger in need. He showed Ruth tremendous “kindness” (Hebrew hesed), going above and beyond in generosity. As a righteous judge, Boaz honored the spirit of the law in caring for the needy.
4. Boaz became Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer
But Boaz’s care for Ruth went beyond kindness – he became her “kinsman-redeemer,” taking her as his wife. This role meant Boaz acted as guardian-redeemer for the widow of his close relative.
According to levirate marriage in the Mosaic law, the nearest kinsman of a man who died without heirs was obliged to marry his widow, so that the deceased’s name and inheritance would carry on (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Though not mandated for Boaz and Ruth, he willingly took on this custodian-redeemer role.
When Ruth proposed marriage by lying at Boaz’s feet (Ruth 3:7-9), Boaz blessed her for not going after younger men but seeking refuge under the Lord’s wings. He then explained there was another relative nearer in kin than himself who had first right of redemption (Ruth 3:12-13). In faith, Boaz would address this in the morning.
The next day at the city gates, Boaz met with the nearer relative in front of ten city elders (Ruth 4:1-2). Knowing the relative would inherit Elimelech’s property and need to produce an heir with Ruth, the man turned down the levirate obligation. He did not want to jeopardize his own inheritance. So Boaz announced his willingness to raise up the name of Elimelech and Mahlon through Ruth (Ruth 4:9-10). The nearer kinsman removed his sandal to ceremonially transfer the duty of redemption to Boaz (Ruth 4:7-8).
Boaz loved and respected Ruth. Out of this love, he chose the sacrificial role of guardian-redeemer in order to provide for her. Boaz cared more for Ruth’s wellbeing than holding tightly to his own wealth and rights.
5. Boaz and Ruth raised up a key lineage in Israel’s history
As kinsman-redeemer, Boaz married Ruth “to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance” (Ruth 4:10). In other words, to raise up a descendant to carry on the family name and line of Elimelech and Mahlon.
Ruth conceived and gave birth to a son named Obed. Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David (Ruth 4:13-17). This Davidic lineage highlights the providence of God.
Though Boaz and Ruth could not anticipate the full outcome, God used their son Obed to advance the messianic family line leading to Jesus Christ the promised redeemer (Matthew 1:5-6). Boaz was vital in God’s plan of redemption as an ancestor in the lineage of David and Jesus.
6. Boaz was a type of Christ as redeemer
Beyond his key role as ancestor of David and Jesus, Boaz also served as a Christ “type” – a godly foreshadowing of the coming Messiah.
As a well-off kinsman, Boaz willingly took on the sacrifice and cost of redemption for the two widowed women for the sake of love and duty. Likewise, Jesus left the riches of heaven to redeem a spiritual widow – the church – at great personal cost (Ephesians 5:25).
Boaz appears at the decisive moment to act as redeemer for Ruth. Jesus likewise appeared at just the right time to redeem humanity from the curse of the law (Galatians 4:4-5).
Ruth found safety and rest under the wings of Boaz (Ruth 2:12; 3:9). Jesus wants His people to find refuge under His saving wings (Luke 13:34; Psalm 91:4).
So Boaz stands as a Christ figure – a free, faithful redeemer providing abundant care.
7. Key lessons from the life of Boaz
In studying the story of Boaz, here are some key themes and lessons that emerge:
- Godly character – Boaz was a man of integrity who was generous, just, and courageous in fulfilling his duty.
- Redemptive love – Out of love, Boaz sacrificially took on the role of guardian-redeemer to save Ruth from destitution.
- Providence – God sovereignly worked through Boaz to advance the lineage leading to Christ and bring about His redemptive plan.
- Kindness – Boaz showed lavish kindness to Ruth, modeling how God cares for the poor and needy.
- Refuge under God’s wings – Like Boaz sheltered Ruth, Christ covers His people under the refuge of His redemption and care.
Boaz is remembered as a Christ-like man of character who faithfully shepherded God’s people. His life provides many redeeming lessons for those who read his story in the book of Ruth.
8. Other details about Boaz in the Bible
Here are some other facts round out the biblical portrait of this important kinsman-redeemer:
- He was the son of Rahab from Jericho, the former prostitute who saved the Israelite spies and joined the nation of Israel (Matthew 1:5).
- He sought righteous counsel when determining how to handle the nearer kinsman (Ruth 4:1-2).
- He commended Ruth as a woman of excellence for her treatment of Naomi and commitment to the Lord (Ruth 3:10-11).
- He praised Ruth as being better for him than seven sons, showing her worth as a woman beyond child-bearing (Ruth 4:15).
- He gained renown in Bethlehem through his marriage to Ruth (Ruth 4:11-12).
- He stood in the direct lineage from Abraham to David mentioned in biblical genealogies (Matthew 1:5-6; Luke 3:32).
In all these details, we see Boaz consistently act with wisdom, righteousness and sacrificial love. He truly lived out his name, which means “in him is strength.” Boaz found strength in caring for the weak and needy.
9. The legacy of Boaz for believers
For today’s believers, here are some key ways the life of Boaz continues to be significant:
- A model of Christ’s redemption – Boaz reminds us of Christ’s sacrificial, unconditional love for His people.
- A picture of God’s providence – God works through faithful people like Boaz to accomplish His sovereign plans.
- An example of godly character – Boaz models integrity, generosity, and compassion for the needy widow.
- A lesson in obedience – Boaz obeyed God’s law by caring for the poor and needy.
- A depiction of hesed love – The way Boaz showed covenant loyalty and kindness reflects God’s hesed love.
Christians can continue to gain wisdom and insight from studying Boaz’s righteous words and actions. Though an ordinary man, God did extraordinary things through this faithful kinsman-redeemer.
Conclusion – Key Facts About Boaz
In summary, here are key Biblical facts to know about Boaz:
- He was a wealthy landowner from Bethlehem known for his godly character.
- Though not obligated to, he acted as guardian-redeemer for Ruth out of sacrificial love.
- He married Ruth, providing her protection and offspring.
- His son Obed with Ruth advanced the messianic lineage leading to Jesus Christ.
- Boaz served as a Christ-figure who lovingly redeemed and sheltered Ruth.
- His life provides many wise examples and lessons for believers today.
Boaz lived by faith to serve God and others. His noble actions were used by God to bring about the great kinsman-redeemer Jesus Christ. For this vital role in redemptive history, Boaz is honored in Scripture as a godly forerunner of the Messiah.
