Ruth 2:1
“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The narrator introduces Boaz, a wealthy and worthy kinsman from Elimelech's family.
What Does Ruth 2:1 Mean?
Before the day's events unfold, the narrator quietly introduces a new figure: Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi's late husband, a man of standing and substance from the family of Elimelech. The detail that he belongs to Elimelech's family is no idle note; in Israel a near relative could play a crucial role in protecting and restoring a destitute family. Hope has a name now, even before Naomi or Ruth knows it.
The phrase translated mighty man of wealth speaks not only of riches but of strength and worth of character, the same expression used elsewhere for a man of valor. Boaz is a man whose substance is matched by his integrity, as the chapter will show. Into the emptiness of two widows, God has already positioned a worthy kinsman. This is how divine providence often works: the answer is in place before the prayer is spoken. The God who feeds His people is also preparing a redeemer to lift them up.
In the Original Language
gibbor chayil (גִּבּוֹר חַיִל), 'mighty man of wealth' — a man of strength, worth, and valor, not merely of riches.