Ruth 2:1

1 And Naomi had a kinsman* of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.^[a]

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 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.

3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.

5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?

Footnotes

• [a]. Boaz: Gr. Booz