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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ruth 1:2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ruth/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/08_Rut_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ruth 1:2 - Naomi Becomes a Widow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ruth/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ruth/1-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ruth/">Ruth</a> > <a href="/ruth/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm" title="Ruth 1:1">◄</a> Ruth 1:2 <a href="/ruth/1-3.htm" title="Ruth 1:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ruth/1.htm">New International Version</a> The man&#8217s name was Elimelek, his wife&#8217s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. <a href="/nlt/ruth/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. <a href="/esv/ruth/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. <a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there. <a href="/kjv/ruth/1.htm">King James Bible</a> And 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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/nkjv/ruth/1.htm">New King James Version</a> The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. <a href="/nasb_/ruth/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. So they entered the land of Moab and remained there. <a href="/nasb/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there. <a href="/nasb77/ruth/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they entered the land of Moab and remained there. <a href="/lsb/ruth/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. Now they came to the fields of Moab and remained there. <a href="/amp/ruth/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife’s name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went to the country of Moab and stayed there. <a href="/csb/ruth/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there. <a href="/hcsb/ruth/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The man&#8217s name was Elimelech, and his wife&#8217s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the land of Moab and settled there. <a href="/asv/ruth/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> And 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. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/erv/ruth/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> And 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 Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/gwt/ruth/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi, and the names of their two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were descendants of Ephrathah from Bethlehem in the territory of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and lived there. <a href="/isv/ruth/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name was Naomi, and their two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. They journeyed to the country of Moab and lived there for some time. <a href="/msb/ruth/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The man?s name was Elimelech, his wife?s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there. <a href="/net/ruth/1.htm">NET Bible</a> (Now the man's name was Elimelech, his wife was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah.) They entered the region of Moab and settled there. <a href="/nheb/ruth/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Kilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/wbt/ruth/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And 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 Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/web/ruth/1.htm">World English Bible</a> The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ruth/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the name of the man [is] Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephraimites from Beth-Lehem-Judah; and they come into the fields of Moab, and are there. <a href="/ylt/ruth/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the name of the man is Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites from Beth-Lehem-Judah; and they come into the fields of Moab, and are there. <a href="/slt/ruth/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the name of the man Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the name of his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites from the house of bread of Judah. And they will come to the field of Moab and be there.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ruth/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He was named Elimelech, and his wife, Noemi: and his two sons, the one Mahalon, and the other Chelion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Juda. And entering into the country of Moab, they abode there. <a href="/cpdv/ruth/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He called himself Elimelech, and his wife Naomi, and his two sons, the one Mahlon, and the other Chilion, Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. And entering into the region of the Moabites, they stayed there. <a href="/nabre/ruth/1.htm">New American Bible</a> The man was named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and his sons Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. Some time after their arrival on the plateau of Moab, <a href="/nrsvce/ruth/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ruth/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the name of the man was Elimeleck, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons Malion and Calion, Ephrathites from Beth-lehem of Judah. And they came to the land of Moab to sojourn there. <a href="/hpbt/ruth/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the name of the man, Alimalek, and the name of his wife, Namei, and the names of his sons, Malyoon and Kelyoon, Ephrathites from Bayth Lekhem of Yehuda, and they came to the land of Moab to dwell there<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ruth/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And 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 Beth-lehem in Judah. And they came into the field of Moab, and continued there. <a href="/sep/ruth/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the man's name was Elimelech, and his wife's name Noemin, and the names of his two sons Maalon and Chelaion, Ephrathites of Bethleem of Juda: and they came to the land of Moab, and remained there. <a href="/parallel/ruth/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LT1nlCXT1mU?start=12" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ruth/1.htm">Naomi Becomes a Widow</a> 1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab. 2<a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">The man’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">name</a> <a href="/hebrew/458.htm" title="458: ’ĕlî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- God is king, the husband of Naomi. From 'el and melek; God of king; Elimelek, an Israelite.">was Elimelech,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">his wife’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">name</a> <a href="/hebrew/5281.htm" title="5281: nā·‘o·mî (N-proper-fs) -- Mother-in-law of Ruth. From no'am; pleasant; Noomi, an Israelitess.">was Naomi,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">and the names</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê- (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">of his two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/4248.htm" title="4248: maḥ·lō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- The first husband of Ruth. From chalah; sick; Machlon, an Israelite.">were Mahlon</a> <a href="/hebrew/3630.htm" title="3630: wə·ḵil·yō·wn (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Naomi. A form of killayown; Kiljon, an Israelite.">and Chilion.</a> <a href="/hebrew/673.htm" title="673: ’ep̄·rā·ṯîm (N-proper-mp) -- A desc. of Ephraim, also an inhab. of Ephrath. Patrial form 'Ephraath; an Ephrathite or an Ephraimite.">They were Ephrathites</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: mib·bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1035.htm" title="1035: le·ḥem (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and lechem; house of bread; Beth- Lechem, a place in Palestine.">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">in Judah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">and they entered</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śə·ḏê- (N-mpc) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/4124.htm" title="4124: mō·w·’āḇ (N-proper-fs) -- A son of Lot, also his desc. and the territory where they settled. ">of Moab</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·yih·yū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and settled</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there.</a> 3Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/1-5.htm">Matthew 1:5</a> Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, <a href="/judges/17-7.htm">Judges 17:7</a> And there was a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah who had been residing within the clan of Judah. <a href="/1_samuel/22-3.htm">1 Samuel 22:3-4</a> From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.” / So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1-2</a> Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines. <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a> Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. <a href="/genesis/46-26.htm">Genesis 46:26-27</a> All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons. / And with the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family who went to Egypt were seventy in all. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3</a> No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. <a href="/2_samuel/23-34.htm">2 Samuel 23:34</a> Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, <a href="/1_chronicles/2-11.htm">1 Chronicles 2:11-12</a> Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz. / Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse. <a href="/1_chronicles/4-22.htm">1 Chronicles 4:22</a> Jokim, the men of Cozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi-lehem. (These names are from ancient records.) <a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">Nehemiah 13:23-25</a> In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! <a href="/isaiah/16-4.htm">Isaiah 16:4</a> Let my fugitives stay with you; be a refuge for Moab from the destroyer.” When the oppressor has gone, destruction has ceased, and the oppressors have vanished from the land, <a href="/jeremiah/48-47.htm">Jeremiah 48:47</a> Yet in the latter days I will restore Moab from captivity,” declares the LORD. Here ends the judgment on Moab. <a href="/ezekiel/25-8.htm">Ezekiel 25:8-11</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Moab and Seir said, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,” / therefore I will indeed expose the flank of Moab beginning with its frontier cities—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim—the glory of the land. / I will give it along with the Ammonites as a possession to the people of the East, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. ... <a href="/hosea/9-3.htm">Hosea 9:3</a> They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And 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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.Naomi<a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a> Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.<a href="/1_chronicles/4-22.htm">1 Chronicles 4:22</a> And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things.Ephrathites<a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Genesis 35:19</a> And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.<a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1</a> Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:<a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">1 Samuel 17:12</a> Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.continued [heb] were <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Chilion</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Chil'ion</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Elimelech</a> <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm">Elim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/4-10.htm">Mahlon</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/judges/8-14.htm">Names</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Bethlehem</a> <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Beth-Lehem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Bethlehemjudah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-12.htm">Beth-Lehem-Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-5.htm">Chilion</a> <a href="/ruth/1-5.htm">Chil'ion</a> <a href="/ruth/2-7.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Country</a> <a href="/ruth/1-3.htm">Elimelech</a> <a href="/ruth/1-3.htm">Elim'elech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Entered</a> <a href="/ruth/1-7.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-5.htm">Mahlon</a> <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Moab</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-49.htm">Names</a> <a href="/ruth/1-3.htm">Naomi</a> <a href="/ruth/1-3.htm">Na'omi</a> <a href="/ruth/2-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ruth/3-9.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Ruth 1</div>1. <a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there</a> 4. <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also</a> 6. <a href="/ruth/1-6.htm">Naomi, returning homeward</a> 8. <a href="/ruth/1-8.htm">dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her</a> 14. <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her</a> 19. <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ruth/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ruth/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The man’s name was Elimelech Elimelech means "My God is King," which is significant given the context of the time of the Judges when Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). His name reflects a theocratic ideal, suggesting a family that acknowledges God's sovereignty.his wife’s name was Naomi Naomi means "pleasant" or "delightful." Her name contrasts with the bitterness she later experiences, as seen in <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20</a> when she asks to be called Mara, meaning "bitter." This change in name reflects her personal journey and the impact of the events in her life.and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion Mahlon and Chilion have names that suggest frailty or sickness, with Mahlon possibly meaning "sickly" and Chilion "wasting" or "pining." This foreshadows their early deaths and the subsequent challenges faced by Naomi and Ruth. Their names may also reflect the difficult circumstances of the famine in Bethlehem.They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah Ephrathites refers to the clan or family group from Ephrathah, an ancient name for Bethlehem (<a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Genesis 35:19</a>). Bethlehem, meaning "house of bread," is significant as the birthplace of King David and later Jesus Christ (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, <a href="/matthew/2.htm">Matthew 2:1</a>). The mention of Judah situates the narrative within the tribal allotments of Israel, emphasizing the covenantal heritage.and they entered the land of Moab and settled there Moab was located east of the Dead Sea and was often in conflict with Israel (<a href="/judges/3-12.htm">Judges 3:12-30</a>). The decision to settle in Moab during a famine indicates desperation, as Moabites were descendants of Lot and often viewed with suspicion by Israelites (<a href="/deuteronomy/23-3.htm">Deuteronomy 23:3-6</a>). This move sets the stage for Ruth, a Moabite, to become part of the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus, highlighting themes of redemption and inclusion.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/elimelech.htm">Elimelech</a> The husband of Naomi, whose name means "My God is King." He is a central figure in the opening of the Book of Ruth, representing a man who makes a significant decision to leave Bethlehem during a famine. 2. <a href="/topical/n/naomi.htm">Naomi</a> The wife of Elimelech, whose name means "Pleasant." She experiences profound loss and transformation throughout the account. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mahlon_and_chilion.htm">Mahlon and Chilion</a> The sons of Elimelech and Naomi. Their names mean "Sickly" and "Wasting," respectively, which foreshadows their early deaths in the account. 4. <a href="/topical/e/ephrathites.htm">Ephrathites</a> A term referring to the inhabitants of Bethlehem in Judah, indicating their lineage and heritage. 5. <a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab</a> A region east of the Dead Sea, often seen as a place of refuge but also of foreign influence and potential spiritual danger for Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a> Elimelech's decision to leave Bethlehem during a famine challenges us to consider how we respond to difficult circumstances. Do we trust in God's provision, or do we seek solutions outside of His will? <a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_names.htm">The Impact of Names</a> The meanings of the names in this passage (Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, Chilion) remind us that names in the Bible often carry significant meaning and can foreshadow events or character traits. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Decisions</a> Elimelech's choice to move to Moab had lasting consequences for his family. This teaches us to consider the long-term impact of our decisions, especially when they involve moving away from God's people or His promises. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_influence.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Influence</a> Moving to Moab exposed Elimelech's family to a different culture and religion. This serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining our faith and values in environments that may challenge them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ruth_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ruth 1</a> <a href="/q/what_does_ruth_teach_about_loyalty,_faith.htm">What lessons does Ruth's story teach about loyalty and faith?</a> <a href="/q/what's_akeldama's_significance.htm">Who was Boaz in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_ephrathites_in_the_bible.htm">Who were the Ephrathites in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_elimelech_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Elimelech in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ruth/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) Naomi.--The name is derived from the Hebrew root meaning to be pleasant (see below, <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm" title="And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.">Ruth 1:20</a>). Mahlon and Chilion mean sickness and wasting, it may be in reference to their premature death, the names being given by reason of their feeble health. It is not certain which was the elder: Mahlon is mentioned first in <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm" title="And 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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.">Ruth 1:2</a>; <a href="/ruth/1-5.htm" title="And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.">Ruth 1:5</a>, and Chilion in <a href="/ruth/4-9.htm" title="And Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.">Ruth 4:9</a>. It is probable, however, that Mahlon was the elder.Ephrathites.--See note on <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm" title="And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.">Genesis 35:19</a>. Ephrath was the old name of Bethlehem. Why, in the present passage, the town is called Bethlehem-judah, and the inhabitants Ephrathites, does not appear. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ruth/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - And the name of the man was Elimelech. That is, "God is King," not, as the older critics were accustomed to interpret it, "My God is King." The intermediate i is not the possessive pronoun, but the vowel of union. The name would be originally significant of strong religious Sentiments, perhaps mingled with strong political principles. The imposition of it on a son would be something like a manifesto of the father's creed. And the name of his wife Naomi. Or rather "No-o-mi." The precise import of the word is not absolutely ascertained; but it is probable that it is somewhat abbreviated in its terraination, and means "God is sweet," or, very literally, "Jab is sweetness." It had been originally imposed as a name by some grateful and happy mother, who, by gracious providences, or by other gracious revelations, had been led to think that "sweet are the ways, sweet are the dealings, and sweet is the character of God." The word does not mean beautiful, as some suppose; nor gracious, as others suppose; nor my delight, as others still suppose. It was not intended to describe the character of the person who was to bear the name. It was intended to signalize, in the spirit of a manifesto, a much-prized feature in the Divine character - that feature, namely, that is displayed when "he deals sweetly with men." Gesenius is doubtless right when he makes sweetness the fundamental idea of the whole group of affiliated words (see his 'Thesaurus,' in voc.). The cognate Hebrew adjective is rendered sweet in <a href="/2_samuel/23-1.htm">2 Samuel 23:1</a> and <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Proverbs 23:8</a> (comp. <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Proverbs 16:24</a> and the margin of <a href="/2_samuel/1-23.htm">2 Samuel 1:23</a>). In the light of this interpretation, and of it alone, can the full significance of what Naomi said on her return to Bethlehem be apprehended: "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me" (ver. 20). And the name of his two sons. In our idiom we should say, "and the names of his two sons." The two sons, however, were for the moment regarded as a unity among the other units of the household. Mahlon, or rather "Machlon," and Chillon. We need not dip deeply into the etymological import of these names, or attach to them, as applied to Elimelech's children, any peculiar significance. The names, unlike those of the parents, are devoid of theological tinge, and, in these modern times at all events, their import is liable to endless debate. One would at the first blush of consideration suppose that the one meant sickliness, and the other consumptiveness, or consumption - rather uninteresting and melancholy ideas. But they are peculiarly confounding when we consider that the individuals, so named in our story, had apparently inherited a delicate constitution, which developed in both of them into premature sickliness and decay. The names have the aspect of being prophetic. And yet, even though we should assume that Elimelech, in virtue of some element of bodily delicacy, was afflicted with feelings of morbid despondency, it is hard to come to the conclusion that he would deliberately stereotype his most hypochondriacal anticipations in the names of his children. The probability is, that the names, as names, would originally have some other import, Dr. Cassel supposes that they meant, respectively, joy and ornament; but he trusts to impossible etymologies. Raabe, taking his cue from Sanskrit roots, interprets the one thus "He who brings gifts with him;" and the other thus - "He who conceals his wife in his house." Warner, taking his cue from Chaldea cognates, interprets the former of the two names as meaning ready to forgive, and the latter as holding forth the idea of hopeful. All of them unlikely derivations. And yet something quite distinct from the ideas of sickliness and consumption, but lying so far on parallel lines of thought, may be conceived. The primary import of מָחַל, the root of Machlon, is apparently to be tender. Thence the word came by one line of thought to mean to be physically tender, that is, to be sick; and by another that runs out in Chaldea it came to mean to be morally teenier, to be mild or forgiving. Machlon may mean mildness or tender-heartedness. Again, the primary idea of כָּלָה, the root of Chillon, is to complete. But, besides the completion that is realized in consuming, consumption, or ending, there is moral completeness, the completeness or finish that is realized in perfection (see <a href="/psalms/119-96.htm">Psalm 119:96</a>: "I have seen an end of all perfection"). This idea of beautiful completeness, or perfection, is more likely to be the meaning of the name than the idea of consumptiveness, or consumption. Ephrathitas of Bethlehem Judah. It is not simply the two sons who are so designated. It is the whole group. They were Ephrathites, that is, Bethlehemites, for the old name of Bethlehem was Ephrath, or Ephratha. As, however, the word Ephrathite also meant Ephraimite (see <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Judges 12:5</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1</a>; and <a href="/1_kings/11-26.htm">1 Kings 11:26</a>), it gave precision to the designation, although at the expense of a little redundancy, to say "Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah." And they came into the country of Moab. The Hebrew emigrants reached the fields or pastoral terrgtory of Moab. And continued there. The phrase in the original is of primitive simplicity - "and were there." It has been asked by theological critics whether Elimelech was justifiable in removing to an "idolatrous country" to avoid the inconveniences of a famine in the land of his nativity. It is enough to say in reply that there is no hint in the text itself that the step taken was blamable or blamed. "No man ought," says Lawson, "to be condemned, whether dead or alive, without proofs of guilt; and no certain proofs of guilt appear in the present case." "The beam of Elimelech's judgment," says Dr. Thomas Fuller, "is justly weighed down to go from Bethlehem, Judah, into the land of Moab." <a href="/commentaries/ruth/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The man’s הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person name וְשֵׁ֣ם (wə·šêm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name was Elimelech, אֱ‍ֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ (’ĕlî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_458.htm">Strong's 458: </a> Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi his wife’s אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ (’iš·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female name וְשֵׁם֩ (wə·šêm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name was Naomi, נָעֳמִ֜י (nā·‘o·mî) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5281.htm">Strong's 5281: </a> Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth and the names וְשֵׁ֥ם (wə·šêm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name of his two שְׁנֵֽי־ (šə·nê-) Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) sons בָנָ֣יו ׀ (ḇā·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son were Mahlon מַחְל֤וֹן (maḥ·lō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4248.htm">Strong's 4248: </a> Mahlon -- the first husband of Ruth and Chilion. וְכִלְיוֹן֙ (wə·ḵil·yō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3630.htm">Strong's 3630: </a> Chilion -- a son of Naomi They were Ephrathites אֶפְרָתִ֔ים (’ep̄·rā·ṯîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_673.htm">Strong's 673: </a> Ephraimite -- a descendant of Ephraim, also an inhabitant of Ephrath from מִבֵּ֥ית (mib·bêṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Bethlehem לֶ֖חֶם (le·ḥem) Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1035.htm">Strong's 1035: </a> Bethlehem -- 'place of bread', a city in Judah, also a city in Zebulun in Judah, יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and they entered וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go the land שְׂדֵי־ (śə·ḏê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> Field, land of Moab מוֹאָ֖ב (mō·w·’āḇ) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4124.htm">Strong's 4124: </a> Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled and settled וַיִּֽהְיוּ־ (way·yih·yū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be there. שָֽׁם׃ (šām) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">OT History: Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech (Ru Rut.)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ruth 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ruth/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ruth 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ruth 1:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>