Naomi Mother-in-law of Ruth

Q: Why did Naomi try to send Ruth away?

Naomi urged both daughters-in-law to return to their families because she had nothing to offer them—no more sons for them to marry, no prospects in Israel for Moabite widows. Her urging shows she was thinking of their welfare, not just her own.

Old Testament

About Naomi

Naomi was an Israelite woman who moved to Moab during a famine with her husband and sons. After losing her husband and both sons, she returned to Bethlehem with her devoted daughter-in-law Ruth. Though she called herself Mara (bitter) because of her losses, God restored her through Ruth's marriage to Boaz.

Naomi's Character Traits

GrievingWiseRestoredFaithful

Naomi's Life Timeline

View journey on map

Departurec. 1110 BC

Naomi and her family leave Bethlehem during famine and settle in Moab.

RUT 1:1-2

Lossc. 1100 BC

Naomi loses her husband and both sons in Moab.

RUT 1:3-5

Returnc. 1100 BC

Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth, calling herself Mara (bitter).

RUT 1:19-21

Restorationc. 1099 BC

Ruth marries Boaz and bears Obed; Naomi becomes his nurse.

RUT 4:14-17

Naomi's Key Relationships

RuthFamily

Daughter-in-law - Ruth's loyalty to Naomi is one of Scripture's most beautiful examples of devotion.

BoazFamily

Kinsman - Boaz redeemed Naomi's family through marrying Ruth.

Naomi's Key Locations

Bethlehem

Naomi's hometown where she experienced both loss and restoration.

Moab

Land where Naomi lived in exile and lost her family.

Spiritual Lessons from Naomi

From Bitter to Blessed

Naomi renamed herself 'Bitter' because of her losses. Yet God transformed her emptiness into fullness through Ruth and Boaz. Her story shows that seasons of suffering can become stories of redemption.