naomi Summary and Overview

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.).

or Nao'mi (my delight), the wife of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Ruth. #Ru 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.

NAO'MI (my delight), the wife of Elimelech, and the mother-in-law of Ruth, who moved with their two sons from Judaea to Moab in the time of a famine. Ruth 1:2. Elimelech died, and also his two sons, each leaving a widow; Naomi, thus bereaved, started back to her native country. Orphah remained behind, but Ruth accompanied her. Once back in Bethlehem, she wished to be known by the name Mara ("bitterness"). She thenceforth acted the part of a faithful mother to Ruth. Naomi is one of the most pathetic characters in all history, and engages our admiration by her calm and unselfish conduct in the hour of affliction.

("sweetness".) Mother-in-law of Ruth. Rth 1:20-21; "call me not Naomi, call me Mara ("bitterness"), for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me." Elimelech's wife; lost her two sons and husband in Moab. (See BOAZ.) Ruth her daughter in law returned with her to Israel, and married Boaz. (See RUTH.)