Lexical Definition
נׇעֳמִי Noʻŏmîy (no-om-ee') Naomi N:N-F-P
from נֹעַם; pleasant
Naomi.
- § Naomi = "my delight"
- Noomi, an Israelitess
1) wife of Elimelech, mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| נָעֳמִי֙ | Naomi | Ruth.1.8 • Ruth.1.11 |
| נָעֳמִֽי | Naomi | Ruth.1.19 • Ruth.4.9 |
| נָעֳמִ֤י | Naomi | Ruth.4.16 |
| נָעֳמִ֣י | Naomi | Ruth.3.1 |
| נָעֳמִ֜י | Naomi | Ruth.1.2 • Ruth.2.20 |
| נָעֳמִ֗י | Naomi | Ruth.1.22 • Ruth.2.2 • Ruth.2.20 |
| נָעֳמִ֖י | Naomi | Ruth.2.6 • Ruth.2.22 |
| נָעֳמִ֔י | Naomi | Ruth.1.21 • Ruth.4.3 • Ruth.4.14 |
| נָעֳמִ֑י | Naomi | Ruth.1.3 • Ruth.1.20 • Ruth.4.5 |
| לְנָעֳמִ֑י | to Naomi | Ruth.4.17 |
| וּֽלְנָעֳמִ֞י | and to Naomi | Ruth.2.1 |
| Νοομί | Naomi | LXX.Ruth.1.18 • LXX.Ruth.1.19 • LXX.Ruth.1.20 • LXX.Ruth.1.21 • LXX.Ruth.2.1 • LXX.Ruth.2.2 • LXX.Ruth.2.6 • LXX.Ruth.2.20 • LXX.Ruth.2.20 • LXX.Ruth.3.1 • LXX.Ruth.4.14 • LXX.Ruth.4.17 |
| Naomi returned | LXX.Ruth.1.22 | |
| Naomi said | LXX.Ruth.1.8 • LXX.Ruth.1.11 • LXX.Ruth.1.15 • LXX.Ruth.2.22 | |
| Naomi took | LXX.Ruth.4.16 | |
| of Naomi | LXX.Ruth.1.3 • LXX.Ruth.4.5 • LXX.Ruth.4.9 | |
| to Naomi | LXX.Ruth.4.3 | |
| was Naomi | LXX.Ruth.1.2 |
Extended Information
- A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.2 married to Elimelech (אֱלִימֶלֶךְ)
- mother of: Mahlon (מַחְלוֹן) and Chilion (כִּלְיוֹן); also called Mara at Rut.1.20
- Also named: ma.ra (מָרָא "Mara" מָרָא)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
נָעֳמִי proper name, feminine mother-in-law of Ruth, Ruth 1:2; Ruth 1:3; Ruth 1:8 + 18 t. Ruth; ᵐ5B Νωεμειν; A Νωεμμειν Ruth 1:2, Νοεμμειν vRuth 1:3, usually Νοομει(ν); ᵐ5L Νοομι.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Ruth | 1:2 · 1:3 · 1:8 |
Profile
Female • Israelite woman, mother-in-law of Ruth.
Woman living before Israel's Monarchy
Naomi, also known as Mara, was an Israelite woman who, after losing her husband and sons, returned from Moab to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.
- A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.2;
- referred to as Naomi נׇעֳמִי, or Mara מָרָא;
- wife of Elimelech אֱלִימֶלֶךְ;
- mother of Mahlon מַחְלוֹן and Chilion כִּלְיוֹן.
Naomi, later known as Mara, was an Israelite woman from Bethlehem who played a significant role in the Book of Ruth. She was the wife of Elimelech and the mother of Mahlon and Chilion.
During a time of famine, Naomi and her family moved to the land of Moab. While there, her sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Tragically, Elimelech and both of Naomi's sons died, leaving her widowed and childless (Ruth 1:1-5).
Hearing that the famine in Israel had ended, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab, but Ruth insisted on accompanying her (Ruth 1:6-18). Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Naomi expressed her bitterness, saying, "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Ruth 1:20). The name "Mara" means "bitter" in Hebrew.
Naomi played a crucial role in guiding Ruth and helping her find security and provision. She instructed Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech (Ruth 2:1-3). Later, Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, following Israelite custom (Ruth 3:1-4).
Through Boaz and Ruth's marriage, Naomi's lineage was preserved. When their son Obed was born, the women of Bethlehem declared to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer" (Ruth 4:14). Obed became the grandfather of King David, making Naomi an ancestor of both David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.
Naomi's story is one of loss, faithfulness, and redemption. Her journey from bitterness to joy, through the love and loyalty of Ruth and the providence of God, has made her an enduring example of faith and resilience.
All entries for Naomi or Mara: נׇעֳמִי ☩ מָרָא