Orpa

Orpa, often rendered as Orpah in English, is a minor figure in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in the Book of Ruth. She is Naomi’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Chilion, and Ruth’s sister-in-law, and she is described as a Moabite woman.

In the biblical narrative, Orpa travels with Naomi and Ruth from Moab toward Bethlehem. After the deaths of Naomi’s husband and sons, Naomi urges her two daughters-in-law to return to their own people and gods. Orpa agrees to part ways, kisses Naomi, and returns to her people in Moab. Ruth, by contrast, pledges to stay with Naomi and to adopt Naomi’s people and God, continuing toward Bethlehem. Orpa’s departure thus marks a divergence in the two women’s paths, while Ruth’s loyalty becomes central to the following story.

Beyond these events, Orpa is not further developed in the canonical text. She is often discussed as a contrasting figure to Ruth—one who chooses to return to her own homeland, and one who remains with Naomi and ultimately becomes part of the lineage that leads to King David. The name Orpa/Orpah originates from Hebrew, and its exact meaning is not clearly established; different translations render the name variably.

In summary, Orpa is a brief, pivotal character in Ruth’s early narrative, whose decision to return to Moab helps set Ruth’s continuing journey and the themes of loyalty and faithfulness that unfold in the subsequent chapters.