Chilion is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Ruth, part of the Old Testament. He is one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, the other being Mahlon. The family is from Bethlehem in Judah, and they relocate to Moab due to a famine in their homeland. Chilion's account is primarily found in Ruth 1:1-5.

Family Background and Migration to Moab

Chilion's family is of the tribe of Judah, residing in Bethlehem. During a time of famine, Elimelech, his father, decides to move his family to the land of Moab, a neighboring region east of the Dead Sea. This decision is significant as it involves leaving the Promised Land, which was a rare and desperate measure for Israelites, reflecting the severity of the famine.

Marriage and Life in Moab

While in Moab, Chilion marries Orpah, a Moabite woman. This marriage, along with his brother Mahlon's marriage to Ruth, is notable because it involves unions with foreign women, which was generally discouraged among the Israelites due to concerns about religious and cultural assimilation. The text does not provide extensive details about Chilion's life in Moab, but it is understood that the family lived there for about ten years.

Death and Its Implications

Chilion, along with his brother Mahlon, dies in Moab, leaving Naomi and their wives as widows. Ruth 1:5 states, "both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband." The deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion are pivotal to the narrative, as they set the stage for Naomi's return to Bethlehem and Ruth's eventual journey with her.

Theological and Cultural Significance

Chilion's account, though brief, is part of a larger narrative that highlights themes of loss, loyalty, and divine providence. His marriage to Orpah and subsequent death underscore the challenges faced by Israelites living outside their homeland and the complexities of intermarriage with foreign cultures. The deaths of Chilion and his family members lead to Naomi's return to Bethlehem, accompanied by Ruth, which ultimately results in Ruth's integration into the Israelite community and her role in the lineage of King David.

Chilion's life and death serve as a backdrop to the redemptive account of Ruth, illustrating the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events that lead to the fulfillment of His purposes, even through personal tragedy and cultural barriers.

The Devotion of Ruth
... the territory of Moab. His name was Elimelech and his wife's Naomi, and
his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. After they had been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Chilion's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Chilion's (1 Occurrence). Ruth 4:9 Boaz said to
the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses this ...
/c/chilion's.htm - 6k

Chil'Ion (3 Occurrences)
Chil'Ion. Chilion, Chil'Ion. Chilion's . ... Ruth 1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died
both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband. ...
/c/chil'ion.htm - 7k

Chilion (3 Occurrences)
...CHILION. ... When Boaz married Ruth he "bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that
was Chilion's, and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi" (Ruth 4:9). WL Walker. ...
/c/chilion.htm - 8k

Chilmad (1 Occurrence)

/c/chilmad.htm - 8k

Kilion (3 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. ...
/k/kilion.htm - 7k

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. ...
/n/na'omi.htm - 11k

Elimelech (6 Occurrences)
... king. Because of a severe famine in Judea, he emigrated to the land of
Moab with his wife and his sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Not ...
/e/elimelech.htm - 10k

Elimelech's (2 Occurrences)
... said to the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses this day, that I have
bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's ...
/e/elimelech's.htm - 7k

Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi,
and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem in ...
/e/elim'elech.htm - 8k

Mahlon (4 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and
the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. ...
/m/mahlon.htm - 8k

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