Who was Elimelech in the Bible?

Elimelech was the husband of Naomi and the father of Mahlon and Chilion. He was a man from Bethlehem in Judah who moved his family to Moab during a famine, where he later died (Ruth 1:1-3).

Why is Elimelech significant in the Book of Ruth?

His death in Moab sets the entire story in motion, leading to the events where his widow, Naomi, and daughter-in-law, Ruth, return to Bethlehem. This return ultimately leads to Ruth's marriage to Boaz, making Elimelech an ancestor of King David (Ruth 4:17).

What happened to Elimelech's family after he died?

After Elimelech's death, his two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Both sons also died, leaving Naomi and her daughters-in-law as widows, which prompted their return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:3-5).

Elimelech

Old TestamentMaleFather of mahlon

Elimelech was Naomi's husband from Bethlehem who died in Moab (Rut.1.2,3).

Elimelech

Biography

Elimelech was an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah, the husband of Naomi and father of Mahlon and Chilion (Ruth 1:2-3). During a severe famine in the land of Israel, Elimelech led his family to sojourn in the foreign land of Moab, a decision that reflected the desperate economic pressures of the period of the judges. Shortly after arriving in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow in a foreign country with their two sons. His sons subsequently married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Though Elimelech himself does not survive beyond the opening verses of the book of Ruth, his death sets in motion the chain of events, Naomi's destitution, her return to Bethlehem, and Ruth's loyalty, that ultimately leads to the marriage of Ruth and Boaz.

Significance

Elimelech's story opens the book of Ruth with themes of displacement, loss, and providence. His decision to leave Bethlehem, the "house of bread", during famine and his subsequent death in Moab frame the narrative of how God works through tragedy and apparent abandonment to accomplish redemption. The legal institution of the kinsman-redeemer (goel), invoked on behalf of Elimelech's surviving family, becomes the vehicle through which God restores land, lineage, and hope to Naomi. Boaz's redemption of Elimelech's inheritance and his marriage to Ruth place Elimelech's family in the direct lineage of David and ultimately of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherNahshonSpouseNaomiChildMahlonChildChilionSiblingSalmon

Verse Appearances (6)

Ruth

Ruth 1:2 Ruth 1:3 Ruth 2:1 Ruth 2:3 Ruth 4:3 Ruth 4:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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