Orpah (fl. 1100 BCE)

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Orpah (fl. 1100 bce)

Biblical woman. Born a Moabite; flourished around 1100 bce; married Chilion (younger son of Elimelech and Naomi).

Following the death of her husband Chilion, Orpah set out for Bethlehem with her mother-in-law Naomi and her sister-in-law Ruth , both of whom had also lost their husbands. Unlike Ruth, however, Orpah made only part of the journey, then decided to return to Moab to be with her people and her gods.