Topical Bible: Women: Naomi

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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, offering insights into the role and experiences of women in ancient Israelite society.

Background and Family

Naomi lived during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious upheaval in Israel. She was married to Elimelech, and they resided in Bethlehem of Judah. Due to a severe famine, Naomi and her family relocated to the land of Moab, a neighboring nation often at odds with Israel. Naomi's name, meaning "pleasant" or "delightful," contrasts sharply with the hardships she would endure.

Tragedy and Loss

In Moab, Naomi faced profound personal tragedy. 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 without male protection or provision, a dire situation for a woman in the ancient Near East.

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 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's arrival caused a stir among the townspeople. She expressed her bitterness over her circumstances, 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 recognized His sovereignty over her life.

Role in Ruth's Life

Naomi played a crucial role in Ruth's life, guiding her in the customs and laws of Israel. She instructed Ruth on how to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, and later advised her on how to approach Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer. Naomi's wisdom and understanding of her culture's legal and social practices were instrumental in securing a future for Ruth.

Restoration and Legacy

Through Naomi's guidance, Ruth married Boaz, and they had a son named Obed. The women of Bethlehem celebrated Naomi, saying, "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May his name become famous throughout Israel!" (Ruth 4:14). Naomi's life, once marked by loss, was restored through the birth of Obed, who would become the grandfather of King David, placing Naomi in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Naomi's account is a testament to God's providence and the importance of faith and loyalty. Her life illustrates the challenges faced by women in her time and the ways in which God can work through personal tragedy to fulfill His greater purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 1:1
Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
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Ruth 2:1
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
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Ruth 3:1
Then Naomi her mother in law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?
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Library

Ruth and Naomi.
... a man named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi's husband, and who was also very wealthy.
He had a large farm and many people, both men and women, worked in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/wee ones bible stories/ruth and naomi.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... happy home.". Then Naomi kissed them in farewell, and the three women all
wept together. The two young widows said to her: "You have ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

Ruth the Gleaner.
... her, calling her his daughter, and telling her to keep close to his women, where
no ... and the man replied that he had heard of her goodness to Naomi, her mother ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/ruth the gleaner.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... There behind them, in the land of Moab, each of these women had left green graves,
which held all they loved best. Naomi, the eldest, was perhaps the most ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

A Gentle Heroine, a Gentile Convert
... Christians to the members of their own families. If we had more elder women
like Naomi, we should have more younger women like Ruth. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a gentle heroine a gentile.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be Jehovah who has not left you at this time
without a near relative, and may his name be famous in Israel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Ruth
... 'And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this
day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon x ruth.htm

Ruth and Naomi.
... Her sons married two young women belonging to Moab, whose names were Orpah and Ruth.
After living there about ten years Naomi's sons died also, leaving Orpah ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/ruth and naomi.htm

Ruth
... A man of Bethlehem, with his wife Naomi and two sons, is driven by stress
of famine to Moab, where the sons marry women of the land. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ruth.htm

Naomi is an Instance of a Widow Receiving Back from Her Daughter ...
... So that Naomi, deprived of her husband and her two sons, having lost the offspring
of ... You see, then, holy women, how fruitful a widow is in the offspring of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi naomi is an.htm