אֱלִימֶ֫לֶךְ
e.li.me.lekh
Elimelech
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word אֱלִימֶ֫לֶךְ (e.li.me.lekh) is a proper name, specifically a personal name, with a Strong's number of H0458. It is used six times in the Bible, indicating its significance within the narrative. The name can be approximated to Elimelech, which is likely composed of two elements: "El" (a shortened form of the name of the God YHWH) and "melech" (meaning king or ruler). Given its composition, the name Elimelech may convey a sense of divine or royal authority. However, without further context, it is difficult to determine the exact meaning or significance of this name within the biblical narrative. Its usage in six distinct instances suggests that Elimelech is a significant figure, possibly a leader or prominent individual, within the community or story where he appears.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab and lived there.
Ruth 1:3Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left with her two sons.
Ruth 2:1Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.
Ruth 2:3She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.
Ruth 4:3He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s.
Ruth 4:9Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, “You are witnesses today, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.