Naomi. The wife of Elimelech the Ephrathite, of Beth-lehem-Juda, who was driven by famine into the land of Judah. After the death of her husband and her two sons, she returned, accompanied by Ruth, to her own land. Her return was a matter of surprise to the people of Bethlehem, and they said, 'Is this Naomi?' Her answer included a play of words on her own name, 'Call me not Naomi ('pleasant'), call me Mara ('bitter'): for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me' (Ruth 1:2ff).

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Naomi, one of the major characters in the book of Ruth. Naomi, her husband Elimelech of Bethlehem, and their two sons went to Moab in a time of famine (Ruth 1:1-2). The sons married Moabite women but both sons and Elimelech died (1:4-5). Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem and urged her daughters-in-law to remain with their families in Moab (1:8-14). Ruth refused, vowed loyalty to Naomi, and returned with her to Bethlehem (1:16-17). There, Naomi encouraged Ruth to ask protection of Boaz, a kinsman of Elimelech (chap. 3). Boaz redeemed Elimelech’s property and married Ruth in accordance with levirate law (chap. 4; cf. Deut. 25:5-10). Their son, Obed, preserved Elimelech’s line and later became the grandfather of King David.