Naomi
Ruth’s mother-in-law
Who was Naomi?
- She was from Bethlehem. In a time of famine she went to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons. Ruth 1:1-2
- In Moab her husband and her sons died. She returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth 1:3-5, 22
- She gave advice to Ruth, who married Boaz. Naomi cared for Obed, their son, who was David’s grandfather. Ruth 3:1; Ruth 4:13, 16-17
What the Bible says
Ruth 1:1-2
1In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there came a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Juda, went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. 2He was named Elimelech, and his wife, Noemi: and his two sons, the one Mahalon, and the other Chelion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Juda. And entering into the country of Moab, they abode there.
Ruth 1:3-5, 22
3And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons. 4And they took wives of the women of Moab, of which one was called Orpha, and the other Ruth. And they dwelt there ten years. 5And they both died, to wit, Mahalon and Chelion: and the woman was left alone, having lost both her sons and her husband. 22So Noemi came with Ruth the Moabitess her daughter in law, from the land of her sojournment: and returned into Bethlehem, in the beginning of the barley harvest.
Ruth 3:1; Ruth 4:13, 16-17
After she was returned to her mother in law, Noemi said to her: My daughter, I will seek rest for thee, and will provide that it may be well with thee.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
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