People

Who was Boaz?

A landowner in Bethlehem in the days of the judges, Boaz is the kinsman-redeemer who marries Ruth and becomes the great-grandfather of King David.

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld- Ruth im Feld des Boaz — Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Public domain. Image credits

Key verse

May Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given to you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Ruth 2:12

World English Bible (public domain)

Background

A wealthy landowner of Bethlehem, a relative of Elimelech.

The world Boaz lived in

A kinsman-redeemer (go'el) bought back land and could marry a widow to raise an heir for the dead. Legal business was done at the town gate before elders. A sandal was handed over to seal a deal.

What stands out

He goes beyond the law, protecting and providing for a foreign widow. He is a picture of Christ as redeemer.

What modern readers often miss

The nearer kinsman refused because the son would inherit for Elimelech's line, not his own.
Matthew says his mother was Rahab, another foreign woman of faith.
His first words, 'The LORD be with you,' show a godly landowner in an ungodly era (the time of the judges).

The culture behind the text

Gleaning and Boaz's kindnessGleaners were vulnerable to harassment, so Boaz orders his men not to touch Ruth. He even tells them to drop extra grain for her. An ephah of barley was about 30 pounds, far more than a gleaner usually gathered in a day.Ruth 2:8-17; Leviticus 19:9-10

The threshing floor and "spread your wing"Men slept at the threshing floor during harvest to guard the grain. Ruth asks Boaz to spread his "wing" (kanaph, the edge of his garment) over her, a marriage proposal. The same word was used in Ruth 2:12 for God's protecting wings. It was a bold but honorable request, and the text keeps the scene chaste.Ruth 3:3-13; Ruth 2:12; Ezekiel 16:8

Kinsman-redeemer and the sandalA go'el (redeemer) was the close relative responsible for buying back family land and caring for a widow. The nearer relative backs out because marrying Ruth could hurt his own inheritance. Handing over a sandal sealed the deal, since walking the land showed ownership. Boaz pays the cost freely, a picture of Christ our Redeemer.Ruth 4:1-10; Leviticus 25:25; Deuteronomy 25:9

From Moab to DavidRuth ends with a genealogy to David, showing that Israel's great king had a Moabite great-grandmother. Matthew lists Ruth among the women in Jesus' family line, a sign that the gospel was always meant for the nations.Ruth 4:17-22; Matthew 1:5

Study notes

Kinsman-redeemer · Ruth 2:20Go'el, a relative responsible for rescuing family members and land."Spread your wing over your servant" · Ruth 3:9A request for marriage and protection, echoing Boaz's own words about God's wings (2:12).Removing a sandal · Ruth 4:7Pulling off a sandal and handing it over confirmed a transfer of property rights in Israel.

Key passages

Ruth 2:1-16Boaz meets Ruth in his field Ruth 3:7-15The night at the threshing floor Ruth 4:1-12The deal at the town gate Matthew 1:5Boaz in the line of Jesus

How the Bible connects it

Every cross-reference in Lampstead says why it’s linked. A few from this page:

Ruth 4:4 → Leviticus 25:25-29Why: The nearest relative has the right to redeem a poor kinsman's land“‘If your brother becomes poor, and sells some of his possessions, then his kinsman who is next to him shall come, and redeem that which his brother has sold …Ruth 4:4 → Jeremiah 32:7-12Why: Jeremiah redeems a relative's field‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field that is in Anathoth; for the right of redemption is yours to buy it …Ruth 2:12 → Psalm 36:7Why: Psalm 36 also pictures people taking refuge under God's wingsHow precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.Ruth 2:12 → Psalm 91:4Why: Psalm 91 also pictures taking refuge under God's wingsHe will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.Ruth 2:12 → Psalm 63:7Why: Taking refuge under God's wings is the picture the psalmist sings ofFor you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.Ruth 2:12 → Psalm 17:8Why: Hide me in the shadow of your wingsKeep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings…

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Sources behind these notes: Deut 25:7-10 sandal custom; Nuzi tablets on sandal transfers in land deals.; Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), "Goel"; Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1866–91). Bible text: World English Bible (public domain).