Elimelech is a significant figure in the Old Testament, primarily known as the husband of Naomi and the father of Mahlon and Chilion. His account is recounted in the Book of Ruth, which provides insight into his life and the circumstances surrounding his family during a time of famine in Israel.

Name and Meaning

The name Elimelech means "My God is King" in Hebrew, reflecting a theophoric element that acknowledges the sovereignty of God. This name is fitting within the context of Israelite culture, where names often carried deep spiritual significance.

Historical Context

Elimelech lived during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious upheaval in Israel. The Book of Judges describes this era as one where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). It was a time marked by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The famine that drove Elimelech and his family to Moab is indicative of the hardships faced by the Israelites during this period.

Migration to Moab

The narrative of Elimelech begins in Bethlehem of Judah, where he resided with his family. Due to a severe famine, Elimelech decided to relocate his family to the land of Moab, a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel. This decision is recorded in Ruth 1:1: "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the land of Moab with his wife and two sons" .

Life in Moab and Death

While in Moab, Elimelech's family initially found refuge. However, tragedy struck when Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow with her two sons. The text does not provide details about the circumstances of his death, but it marks the beginning of a series of hardships for Naomi. Ruth 1:3 states, "Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons" .

Legacy and Significance

Elimelech's legacy is primarily seen through the lives of his wife Naomi and his daughter-in-law Ruth. After the death of Elimelech and his sons, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and Ruth, a Moabitess, chose to accompany her. This decision set the stage for Ruth's eventual marriage to Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, and her inclusion in the genealogy of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-6).

Elimelech's account, though brief, serves as a backdrop for the themes of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence that permeate the Book of Ruth. His family's journey from Bethlehem to Moab and back again highlights the faithfulness of God in the midst of human suffering and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through unexpected means.

Ruth
... Then Boaz calls all the town to witness that day, that he has bought all
that was Elimelech's, and Ruth the Moabitess to be his wife. ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... His name was Elimelech and his wife's Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon
and Chilion. After they had been living in Moab for some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... His name Elimelech, his eldest son Was called Mahlon, t'other Chilion, His wife
was Naomi, Ephrathites they were: They went to Moab and continued there: Where ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Elimelech's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Elimelech's (2 Occurrences). Ruth 4:3 He said
to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has come back out of the ...
/e/elimelech's.htm - 7k

Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)
Elim'elech. Elimelech, Elim'elech. Elimelech's . ... (See RSV). Ruth 1:3 And Elimelech
Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. (See RSV). ...
/e/elim'elech.htm - 8k

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. ...
/n/na'omi.htm - 11k

Chilion (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The pining one, the younger son of Elimelech and Naomi,
and husband of Orpah, Ruth's sister (Ruth 1:2; 4:9). Int. ...
/c/chilion.htm - 8k

Buying (12 Occurrences)
... of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money"); in Ruth 4:5-9, where
Boaz is represented as buying "the parcel of land which was Elimelech's. ...
/b/buying.htm - 23k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... The lovable; my delight, the wife of Elimelech, and mother of Mahlon and Chilion,
and mother-in-law of Ruth (1:2, 20, 21; 2:1). Elimelech and his wife left the ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

Eliminate (3 Occurrences)

/e/eliminate.htm - 7k

Belonged (105 Occurrences)
... Ruth 4:3 He said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has come back out of the country
of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's. ...
/b/belonged.htm - 36k

Kin (18 Occurrences)
... Ruth 4:3 He said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has come back out of the country
of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's. ...
/k/kin.htm - 12k

Kilion (3 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. ...
/k/kilion.htm - 7k

Who was Elimelech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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