Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Naomi is a significant figure in the Old Testament, primarily known from the Book of Ruth. Her account is a profound narrative of loss, loyalty, and divine providence, set during the time of the judges in Israel.Background and Family Naomi was married to Elimelech, a man from Bethlehem in Judah. Due to a severe famine in their homeland, Naomi and her family relocated to the country of Moab. Naomi's name, which means "pleasant" or "delightful," stands in stark contrast to the hardships she would later endure. Tragedy and Loss While in Moab, Naomi faced a series of devastating losses. Her husband, Elimelech, died, leaving her a widow in a foreign land. Her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth, but after about ten years, both sons also died. This left Naomi bereft of her immediate family and in a vulnerable position, as widows in ancient times often faced significant economic and social challenges. Return to Bethlehem Hearing that the LORD had provided food for His people, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab and remarry, as she had no more sons to offer them. Orpah eventually agreed, but Ruth famously refused, expressing her steadfast loyalty to Naomi with the words: "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). Naomi's Bitterness and Faith Upon returning to Bethlehem, Naomi expressed her deep sorrow and bitterness, asking to be called "Mara," meaning "bitter," because "the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20). Despite her grief, Naomi's faith in God remained, as she continued to seek His provision and guidance. Role in Ruth's Life Naomi played a crucial role in the life of her daughter-in-law, Ruth. She guided Ruth in her interactions with Boaz, a relative of Elimelech and a potential kinsman-redeemer. Naomi's wisdom and understanding of the customs and laws of Israel were instrumental in securing a future for Ruth and herself. She instructed Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor, which eventually led to Boaz taking Ruth as his wife. Legacy Naomi's account concludes with a note of redemption and restoration. Through Ruth's marriage to Boaz, Naomi became the grandmother of Obed, who would be the grandfather of King David. This lineage is significant in the biblical narrative, as it ultimately leads to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, as recorded in the genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew. Naomi's life is a testament to the themes of loyalty, redemption, and God's providential care. Her account highlights the importance of faith and perseverance amidst trials and the unexpected ways in which God can restore and bless His people. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary NaomiSmith's Bible Dictionary Naomior Naomi (my delight), the wife of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Ruth. (Ruth 1:2) etc.; Ruth 2:1 etc.; Ruth 3:1; 4:3 etc. (B.C. 1363.) The name is derived from a root signifying sweetness or pleasantness. Naomi left Judea with her husband and two sons, in a time of famine and went to the land of Moab. Here her husband and sons died; and on her return to Bethlehem she wished to be known as Mara, bitterness , instead of Naomi, sweetness. ATS Bible Dictionary NaomiWife of Elimelech, and mother-in-law of Ruth. See RUTH. Easton's Bible Dictionary The lovable; my delight, the wife of Elimelech, and mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth (1:2, 20, 21; 2:1). Elimelech and his wife left the district of Bethlehem-Judah, and found a new home in the uplands of Moab. In course of time he died, as also his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, who had married women of Moab, and three widows were left mourning the loss of their husbands. Naomi longs to return now to her own land, to Bethlehem. One of her widowed daughters-in-law, Ruth, accompanies her, and is at length married to Boaz (q.v.). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NAOMIna'-o-mi, na-o'-mi, na-o'-mi (no`omi, probably equals "pleasantness"; Septuagint. Codex Vaticanus Noemein; Codex Alexandrinus Noemmei(n)): Wife of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Ruth (Ruth 1:2-4:17). She went with her husband to the land of Moab, and after his death returned to Bethlehem. When greeted on her return, she told the women of the town to call her, not no`omi ("pleasantness"), but marah ("bitterness"), "for," she said, "the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." She advised Ruth in her dealings with Boaz, and afterward nursed their child.ith Anaitis (equalsAnahita), the Asian Artemis. She was the Venus, but sometimes the Diana, of the Romans. There are many variants of the name: Anaea (Strabo xvi.738), Aneitis (Plut. Artax. xxvii), Tanais (Clement of Alexandria, loc. cit.), also Tanath, sometimes in Phoenician inscriptions, Tanata, Anta (Egyptian). In 2 Maccabees 1:13;, a fictitious account is given of the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, in a temple of Nanaea in Persia, by the treachery of Nanaea's priests. The public treasury was often placed in Nanaea's temple; this, Epiphanes was anxious to secure under the pretext of marrying the goddess and receiving the money as dowry. The priests threw down great stones "like thunderbolts" from above, killed the king and his state and then cut off their heads. But 1 Maccabees 1;, which is more reliable, gives a different account of the death of Epiphanes after an attempt to rob a rich temple in Elymais. The account of 2 Maccabees 1:13; must be mere legend, as far as Epiphanes is concerned, but may have been suggested or colored by the story of the death of Antiochus the Great, who met his death while plundering a temple of Belus near Elymais (Strabo xvi.l0.18; Diod. Sic. 573; Justin, xxxii.2). The temple of Nanaea referred to in 2 Maccabees 1:13; may be identified with that of Artemis (Polyb. xxxi0.11; Josephus, Ant, XII, ix, 1) or Aphrodite (Appian, Syriac. 66; Rawlinson, Speaker's Comm.). Strong's Hebrew 4755. Mara -- "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi... 4754, 4755. Mara. 4756 . "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi. Transliteration: Mara Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw') Short Definition: Mara. ... /hebrew/4755.htm - 6k 3630. Kilyon -- a son of Naomi 458. Elimelek -- "God is king," the husband of Naomi 5281. Noomi -- mother-in-law of Ruth Library Ruth and Naomi. Naomi is an Instance of a Widow Receiving Back from Her Daughter ... Naomi. CM Ruth and Naomi. Ruth. The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner Ruth the Gleaner. Ruth, the Gleaner Ruth The Devotion of Ruth Thesaurus Naomi (25 Occurrences)...Naomi longs to return now to her own land, to Bethlehem. ...NAOMI. na'-o-mi, na-o'-mi, na-o'-mi (no`omi, probably equals "pleasantness"; Septuagint. ... /n/naomi.htm - 17k Naomi's (1 Occurrence) Na'omi (21 Occurrences) Elimelech (6 Occurrences) Chilion (3 Occurrences) Elim'elech (6 Occurrences) Mara (1 Occurrence) Daughter-in-law (16 Occurrences) Moabitess (7 Occurrences) Kin (18 Occurrences) Resources What can we learn from Ruth's loyalty to Naomi? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naomi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ruth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Naomi (25 Occurrences)Ruth 1:2 Ruth 1:3 Ruth 1:5 Ruth 1:6 Ruth 1:8 Ruth 1:11 Ruth 1:15 Ruth 1:19 Ruth 1:20 Ruth 1:21 Ruth 1:22 Ruth 2:1 Ruth 2:2 Ruth 2:6 Ruth 2:18 Ruth 2:20 Ruth 2:22 Ruth 3:1 Ruth 3:16 Ruth 4:3 Ruth 4:5 Ruth 4:9 Ruth 4:14 Ruth 4:16 Ruth 4:17 Subtopics Naomi: The Mother-In-Law of Ruth Related Terms |
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