Elimelech is a significant figure in the Old Testament, primarily known from the Book of Ruth. His name, Elimelech, means "My God is King," which reflects a theologically rich understanding of God's sovereignty and kingship. He is introduced in Ruth 1:1-2, where it is stated: "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 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, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there."

Historical Context

Elimelech lived during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious turmoil in Israel. The famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1 suggests a time of divine judgment or testing, as famines were often seen as such in the biblical narrative. Bethlehem, ironically known as the "house of bread," was suffering from a lack of sustenance, prompting Elimelech to relocate his family to Moab, a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel.

Family and Migration

Elimelech was married to Naomi, and they had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The decision to move to Moab was significant, as Moabites were descendants of Lot and often viewed with suspicion by the Israelites due to their historical enmity and differing religious practices. This move underscores the severity of the famine and Elimelech's desperation to provide for his family.

Death and Legacy

Tragically, Elimelech's sojourn in Moab did not lead to prosperity. Ruth 1:3 states, "Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons." His death left Naomi a widow in a foreign land, a vulnerable position in ancient society. His sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but both sons also died, leaving Naomi bereft of her immediate family.

Elimelech's legacy is intricately tied to the account of Ruth, his daughter-in-law, who famously declared her loyalty to Naomi and the God of Israel, saying, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). Ruth's devotion and subsequent marriage to Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, ensured the continuation of Elimelech's lineage, ultimately leading to the birth of Obed, the grandfather of King David.

Theological Significance

Elimelech's account is a poignant reminder of the themes of providence, loyalty, and redemption. His life and the subsequent events highlight the sovereignty of God in the midst of human suffering and uncertainty. The narrative demonstrates how God can bring about His purposes through seemingly dire circumstances, using the faithfulness of individuals like Ruth to fulfill His covenant promises to Israel.Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)

Ruth 1:2
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.
(See RSV)

Ruth 1:3
And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of valour, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
(See RSV)

Ruth 2:3
And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and her hap was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:3
And he said unto the near kinsman: 'Naomi, that is come back out of the field of Moab, selleth the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's;
(See RSV)

Ruth 4:9
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people: 'Ye 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.
(See RSV)

Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)
Elim'elech. Elimelech, Elim'elech. Elimelech's . Multi-Version Concordance
Elim'elech (6 Occurrences). Ruth 1:2 And the name of ...
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Elimelech (6 Occurrences)

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Elimelech's (2 Occurrences)

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