Elimelech
Tribe of Judah
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H0458
Elimelech was Naomi's husband from Bethlehem who died in Moab.
Elimelech was an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah who, during a severe famine, emigrated with his wife Naomi and their sons Mahlon and Chilion to the land of Moab (Ruth 1:2). He died there before his sons could return to Judah, leaving Naomi a widow in a foreign land. His death sets in motion the narrative of the book of Ruth, in which Naomi's return and Ruth's faithfulness ultimately lead to the marriage of Ruth and Boaz and the continuation of Elimelech's lineage.