Secondly, God had made it clear that Moab, a people who worshipped the fire god Chemosh, were a people to be avoided by the people of God (see Deuteronomy 23:3–6 and compare 2 Kings 3:26, 27 and Numbers 21:29). But Elimelech was ready to live with them! He may have rationalised his decision. The Hebrew word underlying lived there usually refers to temporary lodgings. However, one year succeeded to another until ten years elapsed (verse 4). Moreover, when Elimelech was in Moab he allowed both his