Elimelekh

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1. The Family of Elimelekh: The Good, the Bad and the Sinful

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Elimelekh’s family descends to Moab, and the quick deterioration until the death of Mahalon and Kilyon raises the question whether this is the punishment to a sin. We will raise a number of possibilities regarding the sin of the family: abandoning the land; greediness; marrying foreign women; and following the ways of the Moabites.

2. What's in a Name?

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Names of biblical characters are often an integral part of the story. This lesson will explore the meaning of names in the Book of Ruth: Elimelekh, Mahalon, and Kilyon, Naomi and Ruth.

3. Boaz and Ploni Almoni

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Who is the main character of the book – Ruth or Naomi? Elimelech and Naomi deal with the problems of famine and children in ways that represent the era of the Judges, while Ruth and Boaz's solutions represent a new way. The potential redeemer is nameless because he refuses to establish his deceased relative's name.

4. A Matter of Law: Elimelekh's Field

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Boaz convenes a public transaction at the gate of the city. Naomi's field might have been sold before leaving for Moav or upon her return. It appears that her land is being sold at the present time. Boaz makes a questionable link between the sale of the field to the marriage to Ruth.

5. Perpetuating the Name: The Levirate Marriage

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   While no legal link exists, Boaz links the buying of the land to the marriage of Ruth in order to maintain the name of the deceased – by producing a child who will inherit the land. The end of the book of Judges is full of nameless characters. Boaz maintaining names sends the Nation to its Davidic destiny. 

6. A Blessing on Both Your Houses: Rachel and Leah

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Elimelekh's abandonment of his personal and national house and Ruth and Naomi's homelessness come full circle with Ruth entering Boaz's house. In the book of Judges the national house is threatened with collapse. Ruth is likened to Rachel and Leah who together symbolize unity. Her union with Boaz will establish David's kingdom, which will unify the Nation.

7. Naomi's Child: The Movement toward Kingship

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   In Ruth and Naomi's struggle for food and progeny, God gives both through his agent Boaz. The story is filled throughout with blessings symbolizing the end of the accursed era of the Judges and the ushering in of the blessed Davidic dynasty. Boaz and Ruth disappear from the narrative leaving only Naomi's character.