Ruth 1:3
New International Version
Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.

New Living Translation
Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.

English Standard Version
But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons,

King James Bible
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

New King James Version
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

New American Standard Bible
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

NASB 1995
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

NASB 1977
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.

Amplified Bible
Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left [a widow] with her two sons.

Christian Standard Bible
Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, died, and she was left with her two sons.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons.

American Standard Version
And Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Contemporary English Version
Elimelech died, leaving Naomi with only her two sons.

English Revised Version
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, Naomi's husband Elimelech died, and she was left alone with her two sons.

Good News Translation
Elimelech died, and Naomi was left alone with her two sons,

International Standard Version
Then Naomi's husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons,

NET Bible
Sometime later Naomi's husband Elimelech died, so she and her two sons were left alone.

New Heart English Bible
Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

World English Bible
Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Elimelech husband of Naomi dies, and she is left, she and her two sons;

Young's Literal Translation
And Elimelech husband of Naomi dieth, and she is left, she and her two sons;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Elimelech will die, the husband of Naomi; and she will be left, and her two sons.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Elimelech the husband of Naomi died; and she remained with her sons.

New American Bible
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.

New Revised Standard Version
But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Elimeleck the husband of Naomi died; and she was left with her two sons.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Alimalek the husband of Namei died, and she was left, she and both her sons
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Elimelech the husband of Noemin died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Naomi Becomes a Widow
2The 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. 3Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons, 4who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,…

Cross References
Genesis 38:11
Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house.

2 Kings 4:1
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”

1 Timothy 5:5
The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Deuteronomy 25:5-6
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

1 Kings 17:10-12
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” / But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”

Luke 7:12-13
As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. / When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”

2 Samuel 14:5
“What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead.

Mark 12:19-22
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ...

1 Timothy 5:3-4
Honor the widows who are truly widows. / But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Genesis 38:14
she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife.

Acts 6:1
In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am. / But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Isaiah 54:4
Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


Treasury of Scripture

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

and she was

2 Kings 4:1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Hebrews 12:6,10,11
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth…

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Died Dieth Elimelech Elim'elech End Husband Naomi Na'omi
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Died Dieth Elimelech Elim'elech End Husband Naomi Na'omi
Ruth 1
1. Elimelech, driven by famine into Moab, dies there
4. Mahlon and Chilion, having married wives of Moab, die also
6. Naomi, returning homeward
8. dissuades her two daughters-in-law from going with her
14. Orpah leaves her, but Ruth with great constancy accompanies her
19. The two come to Bethlehem, where they are gladly received














Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died
The phrase begins with the conjunction "Then," indicating a sequence of events that follows the family's move to Moab due to famine in Bethlehem. The name "Naomi" means "pleasant" or "delightful" in Hebrew, which contrasts with the sorrow she experiences. "Elimelech" means "My God is King," suggesting a man of faith and leadership. His death marks a significant turning point, leaving Naomi vulnerable in a foreign land. Historically, the death of a husband in ancient Near Eastern cultures often left a woman in a precarious position, lacking the protection and provision typically afforded by a male head of household. This sets the stage for Naomi's deepening reliance on God and the unfolding of His providential care.

and she was left
The phrase "she was left" conveys a sense of abandonment and loss. In Hebrew, the word used here can imply being left behind or remaining after others have gone. Naomi's situation is one of isolation and grief, emphasizing her vulnerability. This moment of being "left" is pivotal, as it underscores the theme of God's faithfulness amidst human suffering. Naomi's experience resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's people often finding themselves in dire circumstances, yet never beyond the reach of His redemptive plan.

with her two sons
The mention of "her two sons" introduces Mahlon and Chilion, whose names are believed to mean "sickness" and "wasting," respectively. These names foreshadow further tragedy, as both sons eventually die, leaving Naomi without male support. In the ancient context, sons were seen as a source of security and legacy. Naomi's retention of her sons at this point offers a glimmer of hope, yet also sets the stage for the unfolding drama of loss and redemption. The presence of her sons highlights the importance of family lineage and the continuation of God's covenant promises, which will later be fulfilled through Ruth's loyalty and God's providential care.

Verses 3-5. - "In these words," says Fuller, "we have two marriages ushered and followed by funerals." Verse 3. - And Elimelech Naomi's husband died. Apparently soon after the settlement of the family. No details, however, are given, as, on the one hand, no blame is attached to the conduct of Elimelech, and as, on the other, the line of biographical interest runs in another direction. And she was left, and her two sons. Not only was the mother her husband's relict; they were all left behind. He had gone somewhither in advance, and they "remained." So the word is frequently rendered.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Naomi’s
נָעֳמִ֑י (nā·‘o·mî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5281: Naomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth

husband
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

Elimelech
אֱלִימֶ֖לֶךְ (’ĕ·lî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 458: Elimelech -- 'God is king', the husband of Naomi

died,
וַיָּ֥מָת (way·yā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and she
הִ֖יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was left
וַתִּשָּׁאֵ֥ר (wat·tiš·šā·’êr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

with her two
וּשְׁנֵ֥י (ū·šə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sons,
בָנֶֽיהָ׃ (ḇā·ne·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son


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OT History: Ruth 1:3 Elimelech Naomi's husband died (Ru Rut.)
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