King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name [was] Boaz.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Na'omi had a relative on her husband's side, a prominent and wealthy member of Elimelekh's clan, whose name was Bo'az.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard 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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Naomi{H5281} had a kinsman{H4129}{H3045} of her husband's{H376}, a mighty{H1368} man{H376} of wealth{H2428}, of the family{H4940} of Elimelech{H458}; and his name{H8034} was Boaz{H1162}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ruth 4:21
- And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
Ruth 3:12
- And now it is true that I [am thy] near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.
Ruth 3:2
- And now [is] not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.
Matthew 1:5
- And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Ruth 1:2
- And the name of the man [was] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
1 Chronicles 2:10
- And Ram begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
1 Chronicles 2:12
- And Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse,
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ruth 2:1
Ruth 2:1 introduces a significant character, Boaz, who is a close relative of Naomi's deceased husband, Elimelech. This verse sets the stage for a pivotal relationship in the Book of Ruth, which is set during the period of the Judges, a time marked by social and moral chaos in Israel. The historical context reflects a society where family ties and the duty to care for relatives, particularly widows, were paramount.
Boaz is described as a "mighty man of wealth," indicating his influence and status within the community. His prominence is not only in terms of economic prosperity but also suggests his capacity for leadership and generosity. The mention of his connection to Elimelech's family highlights the importance of kinship bonds and the responsibilities they entailed, such as levirate marriage and the redemption of family property—obligations that become central to the narrative's unfolding.
The verse also hints at themes of redemption and God's providence. Boaz's role as a potential kinsman-redeemer foreshadows his future interactions with Ruth, a Moabite widow who has chosen to remain with her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. The story of Ruth and Boaz ultimately exemplifies loyalty, kindness to the foreigner, and the workings of divine providence, as God uses the customs and relationships of the time to provide for the vulnerable and to bring about the lineage of King David, and ultimately, that of Jesus Christ.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5281
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נׇעֳמִי
Transliteration: Noʻŏmîy
Pronunciation: no-om-ee'
Description: from נֹעַם; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess; Naomi. - Strong's Number: H4129
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹדַע
Transliteration: môwdaʻ
Pronunciation: mo-dah'
Description: or rather מֹדָע; from יָדַע; an acquaintance; kinswoman. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H1368
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבּוֹר
Transliteration: gibbôwr
Pronunciation: ghib-bore'
Description: or גִּבֹּר; (shortened) intensive from the same as גֶּבֶר; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant; champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. - Strong's Number: H2428
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַיִל
Transliteration: chayil
Pronunciation: khah'-yil
Description: from חוּל; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength; able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - Strong's Number: H458
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלִימֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼĔlîymelek
Pronunciation: el-ee-meh'-lek
Description: from אֵל and מֶלֶךְ; God of (the) king; Elimelek, an Israelite; Elimelech. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H1162
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֹּעַז
Transliteration: Bôʻaz
Pronunciation: bo'-az
Description: from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple; Boaz.