Boaz is a Hebrew name of and Old Testament figure and also an architectural term from the Bible. The name's meaning is given as "swiftness" from the Hebrew root בעז (bʿz), which appears only in relation to this name and the temple pillar; other scholars have proposed the sense "in strength" or "sharp of mind". In the Bible, Boaz is a wealthy landowner of Bethlehem who takes the Moabite widow Ruth as his wife, making him King David's great-grandfather. The story occupies the Book of Ruth, set in the period of the Judges, and highlights Boaz's integrity and adherence to the levirate and kinsman-redeemer traditions. Ruth later becomes an ancestor of Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew (1:5). Separately, a bronze pillar named Boaz stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple, paired with its counterpart Jachin (1 Kings 7:21). The name developped variants in other languages: Greek Boos and Latin Booz. Due to the prominence of the Ruth story, Boaz has been used as a Christian name, particularly among English Puritans. Biblical Narrative Boaz appears in the Hebrew Book of Ruth as a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem who shows kindness to Ruth, a Moabite widow who has immigrated with her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi. Recognizing Ruth's loyalty, he protects her while she gleans in his fields and negotiates her redemption, taking her as his wife after a nearer relative declines. Their union produces Obed, the grandfather of David. This story emphasizes themes of loyalty, divine providence, and inclusion of a foreigner into the covenant community. Architectural Significance Each of the two free-standing pillars in front of Solomon's Temple bore customized names: the right-hand pillar was named Jachin (meaning "he will establish") and the left-hand one Boaz (likely interpreting its name as either 'swift' or 'in him is strength' via the Hebrew root ʿzz). These were ornamental bronze structures about 18 cubits high, recorded in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3. Meaning: "swiftness" (or possibly "in strength") Origin: Hebrew (בֹּעַז) Type: First name, also a temple pillar name Usage Regions: Hebrew, Dutch, English, Biblical contexts Related Variants: Boos (Biblical Greek), Booz (Biblical Latin)