Bible Strands
Ruth 2:1
Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a prominent man of noble character from the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces Boaz at the opening of the gleaning account, identifying him as Naomi’s kinsman from Elimelech’s clan just before Ruth leaves for the fields.
The words — The text uses מוֹדַ֣ע (modaʿ, “relative”) and אִ֚ישׁ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל (ish gibbor chayil, “mighty man of wealth/valor”) to establish Boaz’s kinship status and social standing.
The thread — This kinship designation recurs in Ruth 3:2 and Ruth 3:12 when Naomi and Boaz discuss redemption rights, while Ruth 4:21 later places Boaz within the genealogical record.
Why it lands — The passage first states Boaz’s identity as a kinsman and wealthy clan member, then requires the reader to recognize how this introduction establishes the legal framework that will govern the subsequent redemption narrative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Cross-references
- Ruth 4:21 Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed,
- Ruth 3:2 Now is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been working, a relative of ours? In fact, tonight he is winnowing barley on the threshing floor.
- Ruth 3:12 Yes, it is true that I am a kinsman-redeemer, but there is a redeemer nearer than I.
- Matthew 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,
- Deuteronomy 8:17 You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
- Ruth 1:2 The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.
- 1 Chronicles 2:10 Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of the descendants of Judah.
- Judges 12:8 After Jephthah, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
- Job 1:3 and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.
- Job 31:25 if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,