Naomi (Hebrew origin: Pleasant)
(Ruth 1:2). 12th century b.c.e.
Naomi, the wife of Elimelech the Ephrathite, had two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. After the death of their father, Elimelech, the brothers married two Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. About ten years, later, both men died childless. Naomi, having lost her husband and her sons, decided to return to Bethlehem. Her two daughters-in-law expressed
their wish to go with her. Naomi told them not to, but Ruth stayed with Naomi. The two women walked on, until they came to Bethlehem. Because they didn't have anything to eat or money with which to buy food, Ruth told Naomi that she would like to go to the fields and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone who may show her kindness. Ruth went to a certain field that belonged to Boaz, a wealthy relative of Naomi's dead husband, and gleaned behind the reapers. Boaz saw her and told her he would protect and care for her. Naomi told her to lie at Boaz's feet, and Boaz and Ruth soon got married and had a son called Obed. Naomi took the child, held him to her bosom, and raised him. The women of the town congratulated Naomi for having such a loving daughter-in-law and a redeemer who would renew her life and become the support of her old age.
Read more biographies from Who's Who in the Jewish Bible.
| ||||||||||
Your shopping cart is empty. |