Who and what is…
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, quikness, or alacrity (brisk and cheerful readiness)

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

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

1. Boaz, husband of Ruth

   Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab.

   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 (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 Jesus Christ, both through Mary and Joseph. Boaz and Ruth produced a son named Obed, grandfather of King David.

   JESUS CHRIST ➤ Mary ➤ Heli ➤ Matthat ➤ Levi ➤ Melchi ➤ Janna ➤ Joseph ➤ Mattathiah (Mattathias) ➤ Amos ➤ Nahum ➤ Esli ➤ Naggai ➤ Maath ➤ Mattathiah (Mattathias) ➤ Semei ➤ Joseph ➤ Judah ➤ Joannas (Joanna) ➤ Rhesa ➤ Zerubbabel ➤ Shealtiel ➤ Neri ➤ Melchi ➤ Addi ➤ Cosam ➤ Elmodam ➤ Er ➤ Jose ➤ Eliezer ➤ Jorim ➤ Matthat ➤ Levi ➤ Simeon ➤ Judah ➤ Joseph ➤ Jonan ➤ Eliakim ➤ Melea ➤ Menan ➤ Mattathah ➤ Nathan ➤ KING DAVID ➤ Jesse ➤ Obed ➤ Boaz ➤ Salmon ➤ Nahshon ➤ Amminadab ➤ Ram ➤ Hezron ➤ Perez ➤ Judah ➤ Jacob ➤ Isaac ➤ ABRAHAM ➤ Terah ➤ Nahor ➤ Serug ➤ Reu ➤ Peleg ➤ Eber ➤ Shelah ➤ Cainan ➤ Arphaxad ➤ Shem ➤ NOAH ➤ Lamech ➤ Methuselah ➤ Enoch ➤ Jared ➤ Mahalalel (Mahalaleel) ➤ Cainan ➤ Enosh (Enos) ➤ Seth ➤ ADAM (created by God).

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.

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