the names in the story of Ruth seem to all have a meaning that clue us in to something more that the author may have been trying to convey. Here are some interesting translations that we discovered.
Bethlehem--house of bread--not only a place of famine that drove Naomi to leave the security of her faith and travel to Moab, but also a place of great harvest that brought Naomi back home sharing her faith with Ruth and furthering the plan of God. Also most important--it is the city where Jesus was born, beginning his journey to becoming our Bread of Life.
These concepts are reiterated in the names that moved the story along:
Elimelech (the husband that chose to leave during the famine)--my god is king
Naomi--pleasant one (at one point when she returned without her husband or sons, called Mara--bitter)
Mahlon (the son who died)--sick
Ruth (who had married Mahlon and chose to stay with Ruth)--friendship, companion
Chilion (another son who died)--pining
Orpah (who had married Chilion and chose to return to her people)--stubbornness
Boaz (who married and redeemed Ruth)--in him in strength
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