Orpah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Ruth, which is part of the Old Testament. She is known primarily for her role in the narrative concerning Naomi and Ruth, two other significant women in the biblical text. Orpah's account is found in the first chapter of the Book of Ruth.

Family and Background

Orpah was a Moabite woman, which means she was from the land of Moab, a region located east of the Dead Sea. The Moabites were descendants of Moab, the son of Lot, and were often in conflict with the Israelites. Despite this, Orpah became connected to an Israelite family through marriage.

Orpah married one of the sons of Elimelech and Naomi, an Israelite couple who had moved to Moab due to a famine in Bethlehem, Judah. The Bible does not specify which son she married, but it is generally understood that she was the wife of Chilion, as Ruth is identified as the wife of Mahlon (Ruth 4:10).

The Narrative in the Book of Ruth

The account of Orpah unfolds during a time of great personal tragedy. After the deaths of Elimelech and his two sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, having heard that the Lord had provided food for His people there. Naomi urges her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own mothers and remarry, as she has no more sons to offer them as husbands.

Initially, both Orpah and Ruth express their desire to stay with Naomi. However, Naomi insists, highlighting the improbability of her providing them with new husbands. At this point, Orpah makes the difficult decision to return to her people and her gods, as recorded in Ruth 1:14-15 : "Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 'Look,' said Naomi, 'your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; follow her back home.'"

Significance and Interpretation

Orpah's decision to return to Moab is often contrasted with Ruth's choice to stay with Naomi and embrace the God of Israel. While Ruth's loyalty and faith are celebrated, Orpah's decision is seen as a natural and understandable choice given her cultural and familial ties. Her actions reflect the challenges faced by individuals when confronted with the choice between familiar traditions and new faith commitments.

Orpah's account serves as a backdrop to highlight Ruth's devotion and the unfolding of God's providential plan through Ruth's lineage, which ultimately leads to the birth of King David and, according to Christian belief, the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, a widow's decision to return to her family was a practical one, as it provided her with the possibility of remarriage and security. Orpah's return to Moab underscores the cultural norms and expectations of the time, where familial and national identities were deeply intertwined with religious practices.

Orpah's narrative, though brief, provides insight into the complexities of faith, loyalty, and cultural identity in the biblical world. Her account, while overshadowed by Ruth's, remains an integral part of the larger narrative of God's redemptive work through unexpected and diverse individuals.Orpah

the neck or skull

Orpah

(a gazelle), a Moabite woman wife of Chilion son of Naomi, and thereby sister-in-law to Ruth. (Ruth 2:4,14) (B.C. 1360.)

Orpah

The Moabites, Naomi's daughter-in-law, who remained with her people and gods, when Ruth followed Naomi and the Lord, Ruth 1:4-14. The one was taken and the other left.

Forelock or fawn, a Moabitess, the wife of Chilion (Ruth 1:4; 4:10). On the death of her husband she accompanied Naomi, her mother-in-law, part of the way to Bethlehem, and then returned to Moab. ORPAH

or'-pa (`orpah; for meaning see below): A Moabitess, wife of Mahlon, son of Elimelech and Naomi. Unlike her sister Ruth she returned to her own people after escorting Naomi on her way to Judah (Ruth 1:4). Her name is supposed to be derived from the Hebrew word for "neck" (`oreph), and so to mean "stiff-necked" because of her turning-back from following her mother-in-law; others take it to mean "gazelle."

6204. Orpah -- sister-in-law of Ruth
... 6203, 6204. Orpah. 6205 . sister-in-law of Ruth. Transliteration: Orpah
Phonetic Spelling: (or-paw') Short Definition: Orpah. Word ...
/hebrew/6204.htm - 6k

Ruth and Naomi.
... Her sons married two young women belonging to Moab, whose names were Orpah
and Ruth. After living there about ten years Naomi's ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth
... over the border into Moab, among the heathen; how his two sons have married heathen
women, and the name of the one was Ruth, and the name of the other Orpah. ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... There they stayed ten years, and in that time Elimelech died. His two sons married
women of the country of Moab, one named Orpah, the other named Ruth. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

The Elf
... "Obedience is not so important as love. Orpah was very obedient. ... But God blessed
Ruth much more than Orpah, because she loved her mother-in-law. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xx the elf.htm

Ruth.
... So she took Ruth and Orpah, her sons' wives, and started on the journey into the
land of Israel. But before they had gone far Naomi said: "Go! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xvi ruth.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... After they had been living in Moab for some time, Elimelech died, and Naomi was
left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, named Orpah and Ruth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... removed his habitation into the land of Moab; and upon the happy prosperity of his
affairs there, he took for his sons wives of the Moabites, Orpah for Chillon ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... youth. The name of one was Orpah, t'other Ruth: And there they died ere twice
five years were gone; And Naomi was wholly left alone. ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... In vain the elder woman urged her to return, and pointed out that Orpah had gone,
that home and friends and happiness awaited her there, while in front was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

A Full Reward.
... position that for it she left her native land and all its enjoyments; left parents,
relatives and friends, and all those attractions that led Orpah to return ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/a full reward.htm

Orpah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ORPAH. or'-pa (`orpah; for meaning see below):
A Moabitess, wife of Mahlon, son of Elimelech and Naomi. ...Orpah (2 Occurrences). ...
/o/orpah.htm - 7k

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

Ruth (19 Occurrences)
... precisely defined, he died (Ruth 1:3), and his two sons, having married women of
Moab, in the course of a further ten years also died, and left Orpah and Ruth ...
/r/ruth.htm - 26k

Orontes

/o/orontes.htm - 7k

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

/o/orphan.htm - 15k

Kissed (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Ruth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and
wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her. ...
/k/kissed.htm - 14k

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ruth 1:14 And they lift up their voice, and weep again, and Orpah kisseth
her mother-in-law, and Ruth hath cleaved to her. (YLT). ...
/k/kisseth.htm - 10k

Jether (8 Occurrences)
... where he has 300 picked men. The captives would be taken to Orpah, Gideon's
home, and slain there. (3) Father of Amasa (1 Kings ...
/j/jether.htm - 11k

Good-by (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ruth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed
her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her. (See NIV). ...
/g/good-by.htm - 8k

Elimelech (6 Occurrences)
... his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Not long afterward he died, and his two sons
married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Ten years in all ...
/e/elimelech.htm - 10k

Why did Ruth and Orpah make different decisions? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Naomi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from Ruth's loyalty to Naomi? | GotQuestions.org

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