King James Version

What Does Ruth 1:2 Mean?

Ruth 1:2 in the King James Version says “And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, ...” — study this verse from Ruth chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah . And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. continued: Heb. were”

Ruth 1:2 · KJV

Context

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. ruled: Heb. judged

2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah . And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. continued: Heb. were

3

And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

The naming of characters signals their thematic significance. "Elimelech" (Elimelek, אֱלִימֶלֶךְ) means "my God is King," a name affirming Yahweh's sovereignty—ironic given Elimelech's subsequent decisions that seemingly question divine provision and protection. "Naomi" (Na'omi, נָעֳמִי) means "pleasant" or "lovely," a name she later rejects as no longer fitting her experience (1:20).

The sons' names are ominous: "Mahlon" (Machlon, מַחְלוֹן) possibly means "sickly" or "weak," while "Chilion" (Kilyon, כִּלְיוֹן) means "failing" or "pining away." These names may be symbolic, foreshadowing the sons' premature deaths, or reflect the family's circumstances during famine. The designation "Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah" identifies them as natives of the region around Bethlehem, Ephrath being Bethlehem's ancient name (Genesis 35:19; Micah 5:2).

The phrase "they came into the country of Moab, and continued there" uses the verb vayihyu (וַיִּהְיוּ, "and they were/remained"), suggesting they settled rather than briefly sojourned. What began as temporary refuge became permanent residence—a pattern believers recognize when temporary compromises become entrenched lifestyles. The text's understated narration invites readers to evaluate whether this family's choices demonstrated faith or faithlessness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Personal names in ancient Israel carried theological and prophetic significance, often expressing parents' faith, circumstances, or hopes. That Elimelech's name meant "my God is King" during the judges period (when Israel had no earthly king and repeatedly rejected God's kingship) is particularly poignant. His name testified to truth his actions seemingly contradicted—a common human inconsistency between professed belief and practiced behavior.

The identification as "Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah" distinguishes them from other Bethlehem locations (Joshua 19:15 mentions another Bethlehem in Zebulun). Bethlehem-Ephrath was Rachel's burial place (Genesis 35:19) and would later be David's hometown (1 Samuel 17:12) and ultimately the Messiah's birthplace (Micah 5:2). This small village held disproportionate significance in redemptive history.

The migration to Moab, though desperate, was not unprecedented. During famine, movement to regions with better conditions was survival strategy. Abraham went to Egypt during famine (Genesis 12:10), Isaac to Philistine territory (Genesis 26:1), and Jacob's family to Egypt (Genesis 46). However, these migrations involved divine direction or permission; Ruth 1 includes no indication that God directed Elimelech's move, suggesting human initiative rather than divine leading.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas does your life contradict your professed beliefs about God's character and sovereignty?
  2. What temporary compromises or accommodations have you allowed to become permanent patterns that distance you from God's purposes?
  3. How does understanding that God works through weakness and hardship change your perspective on current struggles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְשֵׁ֥ם1 of 20

“And the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הָאִ֣ישׁ2 of 20

“of the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֱֽלִימֶ֡לֶךְ3 of 20

“was Elimelech”

H458

elimelek, an israelite

וְשֵׁ֥ם4 of 20

“And the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִשְׁתּ֨וֹ5 of 20

“of his wife”

H802

a woman

נָֽעֳמִ֜י6 of 20

“Naomi”

H5281

noomi, an israelitess

וְשֵׁ֥ם7 of 20

“And the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שְׁנֵֽי8 of 20

“of his two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בָנָ֣יו׀9 of 20

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מַחְל֤וֹן10 of 20

“Mahlon”

H4248

machlon, an israelite

וְכִלְיוֹן֙11 of 20

“and Chilion”

H3630

kiljon, an israelite

אֶפְרָתִ֔ים12 of 20

“Ephrathites”

H673

an ephrathite or an ephraimite

מִבֵּ֥ית13 of 20
H0
לֶ֖חֶם14 of 20

“of Bethlehemjudah”

H1035

beth-lechem, a place in palestine

יְהוּדָ֑ה15 of 20
H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ16 of 20

“And they came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שְׂדֵי17 of 20

“into the country”

H7704

a field (as flat)

מוֹאָ֖ב18 of 20

“of Moab”

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וַיִּֽהְיוּ19 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שָֽׁם׃20 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ruth. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ruth 1:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ruth 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 35:191 Samuel 17:21Micah 5:21 Samuel 1:1

Places in This Verse

Bethlehem 1Settlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E52 verses across 14 books
Moab 1Region · Modern: Kerak · 31.18°N, 35.70°E162 verses across 22 books
View all places in Ruth 1 →

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