Orpah עׇרְפָּה
Naomi's daughter-in-law, stayed in Moab
Who is Orpah in the Bible?
Orpah was the Moabite wife of Chilion and daughter-in-law of Naomi, appearing in the Book of Ruth (Ruth 1:4, 1:14). After her husband's death, she initially planned to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem, but ultimately chose to remain in Moab when Naomi encouraged both daughters-in-law to return to their families. While Orpah's decision was understandable and compassionate, her choice stands in sharp contrast to Ruth's unwavering loyalty and commitment to Naomi and the God of Israel. Though Orpah appears only briefly in Scripture, she serves as a foil to Ruth's famous declaration of faithfulness, highlighting the significance of Ruth's choice to leave her homeland and people to follow Naomi.
Biography
Orpah was the daughter-in-law of Naomi and the wife of Chilion, one of Naomi's sons (Rut.1.4). She was a Moabite woman who married into a Hebrew family that had settled in Moab due to a famine in Judah (Rut.1.1-2). After the deaths of Naomi's husband and sons, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem (Rut.1.6-7). Initially, both Orpah and Ruth, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, insisted on accompanying her (Rut.1.10). However, Naomi urged them to return to their own families in Moab (Rut.1.11-13). Orpah eventually agreed to stay in Moab, but Ruth remained steadfast in her commitment to Naomi (Rut.1.14). Orpah's decision to stay in Moab is contrasted with Ruth's loyalty and devotion to Naomi and her God (Rut.1.16-17). While Orpah is not mentioned again in the Bible, her brief appearance in the story of Ruth highlights the significant choice that Ruth made in following Naomi and embracing the God of Israel.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookRuth 2 verses
- Ruth 1:4
"who took Moabite women as their wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years,"
- Ruth 1:14
"Again they wept aloud, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עׇרְפָּה |
Orpah
4">Ru 1:4). Her name is supposed to be derived from the Hebrew word for "neck" (`oreph), and so to mean "stiff-necked" because of her turning-back from following her mother-in-law; others take it to mean "gazelle."
or'-fan: This word occurs once only in the Old Testament (La 5:3, where it stands for yathom, elsewhere rendered "fatherless," and in the Septuagint always orphanos); in the Apocrypha