1:2

This verse gives more details about the characters that were introduced in 1:1.

1:2a

The man’s name was Elimelech: The name Elimelech means either “God is king” or “my God is king.” However, the meaning of the name is probably not important to the story.

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Elimelech. You can add a footnote to explain the meaning of the name if you think it will be helpful to your readers.

Here is a footnote example:

The name “Elimelech” literally means “My God [is] king.” (Modified from the NET Bible)

1:2b

his wife’s name was Naomi: The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” In 1:20a, Naomi used a wordplay in which she contrasted the meaning of her name with the Hebrew word mara, which means “bitter.”

It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate the name Naomi. Also consider adding a footnote to explain the meaning of the name. The footnote may help your readers recognize the play on words in 1:20a.

Here is a footnote example:

The name Naomi means “pleasant” or “lovely.” Her name is used as a wordplay in 1:20–21. She laments that she is no longer “pleasant” but “bitter” because of the loss of her husband and two sons. (Modified from the NET Bible)

1:2c

and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion: Scholars do not agree about the meaning of the names Mahlon and Chilion. They also do not know which son was older. It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that transliterate these names.

In some languages, it may be necessary to indicate which son was older. It is reasonable to assume that Mahlon was the older of the two sons, since his name is mentioned first.

1:2d

They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah: This verse part gives more details about the family of Elimelech. They were members of a clan that lived in Bethlehem. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

They were of the clan of Ephrath from Bethlehem in Judah. (NET Bible)
-or-
who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah (Good News Translation)

1:2e

and they entered the land of Moab and settled there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as settled means “remained” or “stayed.”

This clause repeats the information from 1:1d. It does not indicate that they went to Moab a second time. In some languages, the repetition may create confusion or be unnatural. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Reduce the repetition by using different words in 1:1d and 1:2e. For example:

1d…went with his wife and two sons to live in Moabite territory

2e…came to Moab and settled there (Revised English Bible)

• Leave 1:2e implied. For example:

1d…his wife and two sons, left to live for a while in the country of Moab

2d-e They were from the Ephrathite clan of Bethlehem in Judah.

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