Who and what is…
Boaz

also known as: Booz (Matthew 1:5 KJV—other translations say Boaz)

Hebrew: בֹּ֫עַז —transliteration: Boaz

Greek: Βοόζ —transliteration: Boos —meaning: Boaz

The ancient meaning of this Hebrew name is not certain. Some of have suggested: strength, boldness, striker, quickness, or alacrity (brisk and cheerful readiness)

This name appears in 24 verses of Scripture and belongs to an honorable biblical man, as well as a great pillar/column of Solomon’s Temple.

  1. Boaz, husband of Ruth

    Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab, a Canaanite woman who became a follower of the God of Israel.

    He was a wealthy Bethlehemite and married the impoverished young widow Ruth, daughter-in-law of Naomi. The couple met in Bethlehem.

    By the “Levirate law” the duty devolved on him of marrying Ruth the Moabitess, a convert to YHWH (Ruth 4:1-13), for Boaz was a kinsman of Mahlon, Ruth’s first husband and Naomi’s son.

    Boaz is listed in the lineage of Judean kings and of Jesus Christ, both through Mary and Joseph. Boaz and Ruth produced a son named Obed, grandfather of King David.

    God → ADAMSethEnos / EnoshCainanMahalalel / MahalaleelJaredEnochMethuselahLamechNOAHShemArphaxad / ArpachshadShelahEber / Heber (father of the Hebrews) → PelegReuSerugNahorTerahAbrahamIsaacJacobJudahPerezHezronRamAmminadabNahshonSalmonBoazObedJesseKING DAVID and Queen BathshebaPrince Nathan → Mattathah → Menan / Menna → MeleaEliakim → Jonan → JosephJudahSimeonLeviMatthat → Jorim → EliezerJose (Joshua, Jesus)ErElmodamCosamAddiMelchi → Neri → ShealtielZerubbabelRhesaJoannas / JoannaJudahJosephSemeiMattathiah / MattathiasMaath → Naggai → Esli → NahumAmosMattathiah / MattathiasJosephJannaMelchiLeviMatthatHeliMARY, mother of JesusThe 2nd Adam, JESUS THE CHRIST, the God-Man (wholly God and wholly human)

  2. Boaz, 1 of 2 great temple pillars

    Boaz is the name given (for what reason is unknown) to 1 of the 2 (the other was called Jachin) decorated bronze pillars (columns) which Solomon erected in the court of the temple (1 Kings 7:21; 2 Chronicles 3:17).

    Presuming that the original meaning of the name is “strong slayer,” some say that the Boaz pillar may be in honor of King David and his strong faith in God. Or what the pillar named for David and Solomon’s ancestor Boaz?

    Sadly, these magnificent pillars were later broken up and carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar as prizes of war, as God permitted due to the gross idolatry of the Jews at that time.

Article Version: May 22, 2025