Elimelech

Elimelech is a biblical figure described as the Bethlehemite patriarch in the Book of Ruth. He is presented as the husband of Naomi and the father of Mahlon and Chilion, belonging to the tribe of Judah from Bethlehem in Judah. His life is outlined within a single narrative frame that centers on famine in Bethlehem and a move to Moab.

Facing scarcity at home, Elimelech relocates Naomi and their two sons to Moab. In Moab, Mahlon and Chilion marry Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, respectively. Elimelech dies in Moab, and some time afterward his sons die as well, leaving Naomi with two widowed daughters-in-law who are also Moabites.

When Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, Orpah remains in Moab, while Ruth pledges loyalty to Naomi and to the God of Israel, accompanying her back to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, Ruth’s association with Naomi leads to her marriage to Boaz and places Ruth within the ancestry of David, a central note in the biblical genealogies.

The name Elimelech is commonly interpreted as meaning “my God is king,” from Hebrew elements meaning God and king. The episode involving Elimelech sets the stage for the Ruth narrative, highlighting themes such as loyalty, faith, and divine providence. The text does not record further actions by Elimelech after his death, but the legacy of Ruth’s later integration into Israel’s royal line is a significant outcome associated with the Ruth story.