(Heb. id. בֹּעִז, alacrity), the name probably of two men.
1. (Sept. and N.T. Βοόζ, Josephus Βόαζος .) A wealthy Bethlehemite, kinsman to Elimelech, the husband of Naomi. (See RUTH). Finding that the kinsman of Ruth, who stood in a still nearer relation than himself, was unwilling to perform the office of goel. he had those obligations publicly transferred with the usual ceremonies to his own discharge; and hence it became his duty by the " levirate law" (q.v.) to marry Ruth (although it is hinted, Ruth 3:10, that he was much her senior, and indeed this fact is evident whatever system of chronology we adopt), and to redeem the estates of her deceased husband Mahlon (iv, 1 sq.; Jahn, Bibl. Arch. § 157). B.C. prob. cir. 1360. He gladly undertook these responsibilities, and their happy union was blessed by the birth of Obed, from whom in a direct line our Lord was descended. No objection seems to have arisen on the score of Ruth's Moabitish birth; a fact which has some bearing on the date of the narrative (comp. Ezra 9:1 sq.). (See BETHLEHEM).