John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And the name of the man was Elimelech , etc.] Which signifies “my God is King”, as he was King over Israel. In the times of the judges, the government was a theocracy; the judges were raised up immediately by the Lord, and ruled under him; the Targum calls him a great man, and so Jarchi; and it is very likely he was, especially if it be true what is said the Jewish chronology f10 , that he was the brother of Salmon, prince of the tribe of Judah; and it is certain that Boaz the son of Salmon was a kinsman of his, ( Ruth 2:1), and the name of his wife Naomi ; which signifies “sweet, pleasant”, very likely a comely person, and of a sweet disposition; a name of the same signification with Naamah, the sister of Tubalcain, ( Genesis 4:22) and according to the Talmudists she was Elimelech’s brother’s daughter; for they say f11 , that Elimelech, Salmon, and the kinsman (spoken of in this book), and the father of Naomi, were all of them the sons of Nahshon, prince of the tribe of Judah; the same Jarchi observes on ( Ruth 1:22) and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion ; which seem to have their names from weakness and consumption, being perhaps weakly and consumptive persons; and it appears they both died young. It is a tradition of the Jews, mentioned by Aben Ezra, that these are the same with Joash and Saraph, who are said to have dominion in Moab, ( 1 Chronicles 4:22) which is not likely: Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah : Jarchi interprets Ephrathites by men of worth and esteem; and the Targum is, “Ephrathites, great men of Bethlehemjudah” but no doubt they were called so, because Ephratah was one of the names of Bethlehem, ( Genesis 35:19 Micah 5:2) so called from its fruitfulness; though Aben Ezra thinks it had its name from Ephratah the wife of Caleb; but it was so called in the time of Moses, as in the passage referred to: and they came into the country of Moab, and continued there ; unto their death; all excepting Naomi, who returned when she heard the famine was over.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Elimelech's care to provide for his family, was not to be blamed; but his removal into the country of Moab could not be justified. And the removal ended in the wasting of his family. It is folly to think of escaping that cross, which, being laid in our way, we ought to take up Changing our place seldom is mending it. Those who bring young people into bad acquaintance, and take them out of the way of publi ordinances, thought they may think them well-principled, and arme against temptation, know not what will be the end. It does not appea that the women the sons of Elimelech married, were proselyted to the Jewish religion. Earthly trials or enjoyments are of short continuance Death continually removes those of every age and situation, and mar all our outward comforts: we cannot too strongly prefer thos advantages which shall last for ever.
Original Hebrew ושׁם8034 האישׁ376 אלימלך458 ושׁם8034 אשׁתו802 נעמי5281 ושׁם8034 שׁני8147 בניו1121 מחלון4248 וכליון3630 אפרתים673 מבית לחם1035 יהודה3063 ויבאו935 שׂדי7704 מואב4124 ויהיו1961 שׁם׃8033
