Boy Old Testament Known
Elimelech
my God is king
אֱלִימֶ֫לֶךְ e.li.me.lekh
Elimelech (Hebrew: אֱלִימֶ֫לֶךְ, e.li.me.lekh) means “my God is king”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 6 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 37 children in the United States. Around 1,140 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Boaz in Ruth 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Elimelech
father of Chilion; father of Mahlon
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 37 | Steady |
| All-time total | 1,140 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 48 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | NY | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Ruth 1:2 |
| Last appears | Ruth 4:9 |
| Cross-references | 48 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Chilion co-occurrence Appears with Chilion in Ruth 4.
- Mahlon co-occurrence Appears with Mahlon in Ruth 4.
- Naomi co-occurrence Appears with Naomi in Ruth 4.
- Boaz co-occurrence Appears with Boaz in Ruth 2.
- Ephrathah co-occurrence Appears with Ephrathah in Ruth 1.
- Ruth co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Ruth.
- Orpah co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Orpah.
- Obed co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Obed.
Origin & meaning
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.2; married to Naomi (H5281);
father of: Mahlon (H4248), Chilion (H3630)
§ Elimelech = "my God is king"
Naomi's husband
Elimelech was Naomi's husband from Bethlehem who died in Moab.
The biblical story
Elimelech was a man from Bethlehem in Judah, the husband of Naomi and the father of Mahlon and Chilion (Rut.1.2). During a time of famine, Elimelech and his family moved to the country of Moab (Rut.1.1-2). While in Moab, Elimelech died, leaving Naomi a widow (Rut.1.3). Naomi's sons, Mahlon and Chilion, married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah, but they also died after about ten years (Rut.1.4-5). After the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and her daughter-in-law Ruth accompanied her (Rut.1.6-22). Elimelech's family had owned land in Bethlehem, which was later acquired by Boaz, a relative who married Ruth (Rut.4.3,9). Through this marriage, Elimelech's lineage was preserved, and his family's property remained within the clan.
Key verses
Elimelech appears in 6 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Ruth 1:2 -
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Ruth 1:3 -
And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
Ruth 2:1 -
And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
Ruth 2:3 -
And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
Ruth 4:3
Show all 6 references
Ruth (6)
- Ruth 1:2
- Ruth 1:3
- Ruth 2:1
- Ruth 2:3
- Ruth 4:3
- Ruth 4:9