The Controversy Name of Boaz in the Bible Genealogy from Matthean Perspective: Intertextuality Approach

Abstract

The appearance of Boaz’s name in the Bible genealogy – Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke – creates difficulty. Ruth 4:21, 1 Chronicles 2:12, Matthew 1:5, Luke 3:32 informs that Boaz was the father of Obed. The issue is the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, mentions that the father of Obed should be Mahlon, and not Boaz. According to the book of Deuteronomy, the purpose of Boaz and Ruth’s levirate marriage is to raise up an offspring (Obed) that would continue the name of Mahlon, and not Boaz. In Ruth 4:4, Boaz even confirms this purpose is to perpetuate the name of the deceased (Mahlon). In the Gospel of Matthew, Sadducees also explicitly narrate that the brothers of the dead man would raise up seed for him to perpetuate the name of the dead man (Mat. 22:24-25; cf. Gen. 38:8-10). Therefore, the Law opposes the idea of Obed carrying the name of Boaz, and not Mahlon. This research employs the study of intertextuality to offer another perspective – Matthean perspective – on the problematic name of Boaz in the Bible genealogy: Ruth, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke.

Keywords

• genealogy
• boaz
• ruth
• 1 chronicles
• matthew
• luke
• torah