Ruth 2:1

1 Now Na'omi had a kinsman of her husband's, a man of wealth, of the family of Elim'elech, whose name was Bo'az.

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 Na'omi had a kinsman of her husband's, a man of wealth, of the family of Elim'elech, whose name was Bo'az.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Na'omi, "Let me go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."

3 So she set forth and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Bo'az, who was of the family of Elim'elech.

4 And behold, Bo'az came from Bethlehem; and he said to the reapers, "The LORD be with you!" And they answered, "The LORD bless you."

5 Then Bo'az said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, "Whose maiden is this?"