ElIMELECH (Heb. 'Elimelehh, "my God is king"). - Husband of Noemi and relative of Booz. He belonged to the tribe of Judah, during the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:3; 2:1; 4:3, 9). Forced by a famine to leave Bethlehem, his birthplace, he moved to the land of Moab. There he died, leaving two sons, Mahalon and Chelion. The latter had married the Moabite Ruth, who, having been widowed, chose to follow Noemi to Bethlehem, where she was married by Booz.
