Orpah
Pronounced OR-puh
- Meaning
- "Neck; Fawn; Mane"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Orpah was Ruth's sister-in-law who, after initial loyalty, turned back to Moab when Naomi urged them to go. She kissed Naomi goodbye while Ruth clung to her. Orpah wasn't villainous — she simply chose the reasonable path. Ruth chose the radical one.
Spiritual meaning
Orpah represents the reasonable choice that falls short of radical devotion — the kiss goodbye instead of the clinging faith that changes everything.
Related verses (KJV)
"And Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
Ruth 1:14 (KJV) →