Ruth 2:1

Boaz Meets Ruth

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.

Ruth 2:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ruth 2:1

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's
That was her kinsman by her husband's side, who now lived at Bethlehem; and yet it does not appear that Naomi made any application to him for assistance in her circumstances, though well known to her, as the word used signifies; which might arise from her modesty, and being loath to be troublesome to him, especially as he was a relation, not of her own family, but of her husband's; but, what is more strange, that this kinsman had taken no notice of her, nor sent to her, who yet was a very generous and liberal man, and had knowledge of her coming, for he had heard of the character of Ruth, ( Ruth 2:11 Ruth 2:12 ) but perhaps he was not acquainted with their indigent circumstances:

a mighty man of wealth;
a man of great wealth and riches, and of great power and authority, which riches give and raise a man to, and also of great virtue and honour, all which the word "wealth" signifies; to which may be added the paraphrase the Targumist gives, that he was mighty in the law; in the Scriptures, in the word of God, a truly religious man, which completes his character:

of the family of Elimelech;
the husband of Naomi; some say that his father was Elimelech's brother, (See Gill on Ruth 2:2),

and his name was Boaz;
which signifies, "in him is strength", strength of riches, power, virtue, and grace; it is the name of one of the pillars in Solomon's temple, so called from its strength. This man is commonly said by the Jews to be the same with Ibzan, a judge of Israel, ( Judges 12:8 ) (See Gill on Judges 12:8): he was the grandson of Nahshon, prince of the tribe of Judah, who first offered at the dedication of the altar, ( Numbers 7:12 ) , his father's name was Salmon, and his mother was Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, ( Matthew 1:5 ) . A particular account is given of this man, because he, with Ruth, makes the principal part of the following history.

Ruth 2:1 In-Context

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.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied.

3 So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.

4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and said to the harvesters, “The LORD be with you.” “The LORD bless you,” they replied.

5 And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”