9 Godly Characteristics of Boaz in the Bible to Copy

The Godly man Boaz is the hero of the Old Testament book of Ruth. This kinsman redeemer is a type, a foreshadow, a picture of Jesus Christ so it is not surprising that some of the characteristics of Boaz in the Bible are traits that every Christian should try to emulate. 

The story of Ruth is a simple, but profound love story, a second-chance romance. The Book of Ruth is the eighth book of the Bible, the story is set in the country of ancient Israel, and it was written by an unknown author.

Ruth Chapter 1 Summary

The book of Ruth begins by introducing an Israelite family composed of a man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion who lived in the area of Bethlehem. When famine conditions occurred in the land of Israel, Elimelech decided to take his family to the neighboring country of Moab until the famine was passed.

Sometime after they arrived in Moab, Naomi’s husband died, leaving her a single parent of two rapidly growing sons. Soon both of her boys decided to get married to Moabite women. Chilion’s wife was named Orpah, and Naomi’s son Mahlon married Ruth.

In a relatively short time both of Naomi’s sons died, leaving Orpah and Ruth widows along with their mother-in-law Naomi.

The grief-stricken Naomi heard that the famine was over in Israel and decided to return home. Both Orpah and Ruth said they would go with her. But Naomi insisted that she had nothing to offer them and said it would be better for them to remain in Moab.

While both daughters-in-law initially insisted on going with Naomi, eventually, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye and returned home. But the young widow Ruth had a fierce loyalty to Naomi and also wanted the God of Israel to be her God. She firmly refused to leave Naomi.

This Moabite woman expressed her loyal love to her Israelite mother-in-law using these eloquent words:

“Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” – Ruth 1:16&17 (KJV)

Naomi and Ruth arrived back in Israel at the beginning of the barley harvest. The arrival of Naomi, minus her husband and sons, was a shock to the entire town.

Characteristics of Boaz in the Bible from Ruth Chapter 1

The character of Boaz does not appear at all in the first chapter of Ruth. But comparing his faith with the lack of faith of Elimelech there is a striking difference. Unlike Elimelech, Boaz remained in the land of Israel through the famine. He had faith that the God Who gave this land to His people would also see them through the famine. 

Ruth Chapter 2 Summary

Boaz appears in the first verse of Ruth chapter 2. “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” – Ruth 2:1 (KJV)

This verse reveals that Boaz was a wealthy man, by marriage a relative of Naomi, specifically, a relative of Elimelech.

After arriving in Israel, Ruth went to glean ears of corn in the fields. Gleaning is the process of searching for and collecting discarded and overlooked stalks of grain, such as corn, barley, or wheat, which were missed by the reapers. This was a common practice for those who were too poor to purchase food, to gather what was left after the harvesters. Many times the poor people who would glean in the fields were harassed or chased away by the owners of the field.

Ruth’s actions showed she was industrious and willing to do hard work to support both herself and Naomi.

It just so happened that the barley field Ruth chose to glean from was Boaz’s field. 

When the wealthy landowner Boaz came to check on his workers, he saw Ruth gleaning and asked who she was. When he was told that she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law, he welcomed her to his field, instructing her not to go glean in any other field. He also told her that he had commanded the young men who worked for him they were not to trouble her. He also told her to help herself with his water whenever she was thirsty.

Ruth was overwhelmed by both his kindness and his generosity and asked him why he was being so good to her. 

Boaz’s answer was both knowledgeable and respectful.

“It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. – Ruth 2:11&12 (KJV)

Ruth was very grateful for his kindness to her despite the fact she was a stranger from a foreign land and expressed her appreciation to him for his kindness to her.

Boaz then invited her to eat with his servants at mealtime. When she accepted, she ate the food he offered her and returned to her work. 

Privately Boaz told his reapers to purposely drop handfuls of grain for her to make it easier for her to find and reiterated that his workers should not harass her.

That evening when Ruth returned home to Naomi with all of the barley she had gathered, which was about an ephah. This measurement converts to about seven and a half gallons of grain.

Naomi, of course, asked Ruth about her day, obviously delighted with the large amount of grain Ruth brought home. Ruth told her about Boaz’s kindness to her and his generosity as well as the fact that he specifically told her to continue to glean in his fields, not to go anywhere else until the end of the harvests.

Naomi was thrilled that Ruth had met Boaz and told Ruth that he was a close relative of hers.

So Ruth continued to glean in Boaz’s fields through both the barley harvest and the wheat harvest.

Characteristics of Boaz in the Bible from Ruth Chapter 2

Godly – Boaz was a man of God who was not ashamed of his faith. He showed his Godly character when he referenced the Lord God as he greeted his employees when he said, “The LORD be with you.” – Ruth 2:4 (KJV). It seemed that this was his normal way of addressing them. 

Protective – While Ruth was on his property, he made sure that she would be treated respectfully. Twice in Ruth chapter 2, it is mentioned that he made sure Ruth would be safe while she was in his fields.

Hospitable – Boaz graciously invited Ruth to help herself to the water he provided for his house and workers. Water was a very valuable resource in Bible times, since they didn’t have modern plumbing. At lunchtime, he invited her to sit with his servant girls and gave her a meal of parched corn.

Generous – Boaz offered his extra crops to Ruth. He told her to continue to glean in his fields throughout the entire barley harvest and also through the upcoming wheat harvest.

Ruth Chapter 3 Summary

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After the harvests were finished, the matchmaking Naomi wanted to find Ruth a husband and decided upon Boaz. Naomi told Ruth to fix herself and to go by night to the threshing floor where Boaz was having a party. Ruth did so and waited until Boaz went to sleep. Then she uncovered his feet and when he got cold and woke up, he realized Ruth was there. 

She asked him if he would do the part of a kinsman to her. In essence, she asked him to marry her. Her request of Boaz was:

“Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.” – Ruth 3:9 (KJV)

The reason why Ruth reminded Boaz that he was her kinsman, actually a close relative of her late husband, was because she was referring to the Israelite law found in Deuteronomy 25:5,

“If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.” (KJV)

Boaz was thrilled with Ruth’s request but informed her that there was a closer relative than him. But he assured her that the very next day, he would ask the other relative if that man would marry Ruth. He promised Ruth that if the other man refused, he would then marry her. 

While it was still dark, and before Ruth returned home, Boaz gave her barley to take back with her to Naomi. 

Characteristics of Boaz in the Bible from Ruth Chapter 3

Self-Control – The nocturnal meeting of Boaz and Ruth could have been an opportunity for more than just talk. But Boaz respected Ruth and did not take advantage of either her or the situation.

Thoughtful – When Boaz gifted Ruth with the barley for Naomi, he did not want her to return home empty-handed. This generous man did not know at that time if he could legally marry Ruth but despite what would happen the next day, he was considerate of both Naomi and of Ruth.

Ruth Chapter 4 Summary

The next morning, Boaz went to the city gate where the governmental matters were decided. As witnesses to what he hoped would be a contract, he took ten of his fellow townsmen and presented the case of Ruth to the closer relative.

At first the man seemed that he would be agreeable to purchase Elimelech’s property. But when he realized that he would also be expected to marry Ruth and have a child with her, he declined.

Then Boaz made the formal declaration that he purchased the estate of Elimelech, Naomi’s late husband, and all of the property of Mahlon and Chilion which included the young woman, Ruth. Boaz triumphantly declared his purchase when he said, 

“Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.” – Ruth 4:10 (KJV)

Boaz and Ruth later had a son and through that son, Boaz became the great-grandfather of King David.

Characteristics of Boaz in the Bible from Ruth Chapter 4

Integrity – Boaz kept his promises, he did exactly what he said he would do.  

Law Abiding – Boaz conducted his legal affairs openly and he wanted to obey God’s law which was the law of the land of Israel.

The example of Boaz, this man of integrity, both commands the utmost respect and gives us an example for characteristics to emulate in our own lives. 

For more studies to help you with your personal Christian growth, check out Biblical Submission by the Christian Wife.

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