בֹּעַז
𐤁𐤏𐤆
Boaz
H1162 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name with two distinct usages: (1) As a personal name, refers to a prominent Israelite individual from Bethlehem, known as the husband of Ruth and great-grandfather of King David. (2) As the name of one of the two bronze pillars in front of Solomon's temple (the other pillar being Jachin). The name itself has uncertain meaning, not directly resolved by biblical usage. Its use as a personal and architectural name suggests connotations of strength or stability, though this is speculative.
Semantic Range
proper personal name (Boaz, Israelite ancestor of David); name for one of the temple pillars in Solomon's temple
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain. The name בֹּעַז (Boaz) is traditionally ascribed to an unused or opaque root. Some connect it formally or semantically to עֹז (ʿoz, 'strength, might'), given the possible meaning 'in him is strength' or 'by strength,' but this derivation cannot be definitively established. Its actual lexical meaning as a name remains unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
As a personal name, Boaz is a significant figure in the Book of Ruth, portrayed as an Israelite landowner showing hesed (loyalty/steadfast love) to Ruth and Naomi in the time of the judges—thus positioned within the genealogy of David (Ruth 4). In 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3, Boaz is also the name given to one of the two monumental pillars erected at the entrance of Solomon's temple, a symbolic architectural element whose precise function and semantic nuance remain debated. In English Bible tradition the transliteration "Boaz" is standard; literal translations cannot clarify the meaning, as the underlying Hebrew is opaque. The application of this name for architectural and personal naming reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern tradition of ascribing meaningful or symbolic names to significant city features and prominent individuals. Note that in Second Temple and later Hellenistic/Roman usage, the name's meaning was similarly opaque; its function was as a proper noun, not as a descriptive term. Contrast with related terms such as עֹז (ʿoz, 'strength') or עָז (ʿaz, 'strong', 'fierce'), which carry more concrete lexical meanings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root of uncertain meaning; Boaz, the ancestor of David; also the name of a pillar in front of the temple; Boaz.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (possibly עז) (uncertain (possibly ʿ-z)) — uncertain; possibly strength, might
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1162-01 |
בֹּֽעַז | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz | 16 |
H1162-04 |
בֹ֗עַז | voaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz | 3 |
H1162-03 |
וּ/בֹ֨עַז | uvoaz | HC/Np |
and Boaz | and Boaz | 3 |
H1162-02 |
לְ/בֹ֔עַז | levoaz | HR/Np |
belonging to Boaz | to Boaz | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
24 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1162-01 |
1 Kings 7:21 | בֹּֽעַז | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:1 | בֹּֽעַז | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-02 |
Ruth 2:3 | לְ/בֹ֔עַז | levoaz | HR/Np |
belonging to Boaz | to Boaz |
H1162-04 |
Ruth 2:4 | בֹ֗עַז | voaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:5 | בֹּ֨עַז֙ | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:8 | בֹּ֨עַז | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:11 | בֹּ֨עַז֙ | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-04 |
Ruth 2:14 | בֹ֜עַז | voaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:15 | בֹּ֨עַז | boaz | HNp |
Boaz | Boaz |
H1162-01 |
Ruth 2:19 | בֹּֽעַז | boaz | HNp |
is Boaz | Boaz |