Boaz
A wealthy farmer whose kindness to a foreign widow changed history.
Old Testament · c. 1100 BC · Ruth, Matthew · Also known as Kinsman-redeemer
About Boaz
Boaz was a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem and a relative of Naomi’s late husband. When the Moabite widow Ruth gleaned in his fields, he protected her, fed her, and had his workers leave extra grain for her. When Ruth asked him at the threshing floor to act as kinsman-redeemer, he did it properly and publicly at the city gate, married her, and became the great-grandfather of King David.
A "kinsman-redeemer" was a close relative who could buy back family land and care for a widow so the family line continued (compare Leviticus 25:25 and Deuteronomy 25:5-10). In Ruth 4, a closer relative declined, and the deal was sealed by passing a sandal.
The story
The LORD be with you
Boaz came from Bethlehem and greeted his harvesters, "The LORD be with you." They answered, "The LORD bless thee." He noticed a stranger gleaning: Ruth, the Moabite who had come back with Naomi.
Ruth 2:1-7
Handfuls on purpose
Boaz told Ruth to stay in his fields, invited her to eat with his workers, and quietly told them, "Let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her… and rebuke her not." He had heard everything she had done for Naomi.
Ruth 2:8-17
A virtuous woman
At the threshing floor, Ruth asked Boaz to spread his covering over her: a request to redeem the family. He answered, "Fear not… all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." But a closer relative had the first right.
Ruth 3:1-13
At the city gate
Boaz sat at the gate before ten elders. The closer relative declined, and passed his sandal to seal it. "Ye are witnesses this day," Boaz said. He married Ruth, and their son Obed became the grandfather of David.
Ruth 4:1-17
Key moments
- Notices Ruth: "Whose damsel is this?" (Ruth 2:5)
- Protects and feeds her: Handfuls left on purpose. (Ruth 2:15-16)
- Agrees to redeem: "A virtuous woman." (Ruth 3:11)
- Redeems at the gate: "Ye are witnesses this day." (Ruth 4:9-10)
Questions about Boaz
In meetBible these answers are given in Boaz’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why were you so kind to Ruth?
I told her myself: "It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband." She had left her own land to care for Naomi. I prayed, "The LORD recompense thy work… under whose wings thou art come to trust."
What is a kinsman-redeemer?
A near relative who could buy back family land that had been sold and protect a widow, so the family name carried on. Ruth asked me to act as one at the threshing floor. Another man was closer in line, so I settled it before the elders at the gate.
Why did the other relative say no?
He wanted the land, but when he heard that redeeming it meant marrying Ruth, he said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance." He drew off his sandal to confirm it before witnesses.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Ruth 2–4.