ELIMELECH (Hebrew 'Élimelékh' «my God is king»). — Husband of Naomi and relative of Boaz. He was of the tribe of Judah, in the time of the Judges (Ruth 1:3; 2:1; 4:3, 9). Forced by a famine to leave Bethlehem, his native place, he moved to the land of Moab. There he died, leaving two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. The latter had married Ruth the Moabitess, who, after becoming a widow, wished to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, where she was later married by Boaz.
ELIMELECH (EBR. 'ÉLIMELÉKH' «MIO DIO È RE»)
