orpah Summary and Overview

forelock or fawn, a Moabitess, the wife of Chilion (Ruth 1:4; 4:10). On the death of her husband she accompanied Naomi, her mother-in-law, part of the way to Bethlehem, and then returned to Moab.

(a gazelle), a Moabite woman wife of Chilion son of Naomi, and thereby sister-in-law to Ruth. #Ru 2:4,14| (B.C. 1360.)

OR'PAH (fawn, or mane), the daughter-in-law of Naomi, who with Ruth accompanied her part of the way on the road to Bethlehem. Her affection, however was not so strong as Ruth's, and, kissing Naomi, she returned to her people and her gods. Ruth 1:4, 2 Kgs 22:14.

(See NOAMI; BOAZ.) Wife of Chilion. (See CHILION.) On her husband's death accompanied Naomi toward Bethlehem a short distance, but, in spite of professions of attachment and tears, she went back to "her people and her gods," and lost the golden opportunity which Ruth embraced of having Israel's God for her God. "Orpah kissed her mother in law, but Ruth clave unto her" (Rth 1:14, compare Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24; compare Demas, 2 Timothy 4:10). Orpah's name is now dishonoured, and her seed if she had any is consigned to oblivion. Ruth's Seed -Jesus Christ -is the name at which every knee shall bow (Philemon 2:10).