Mahlon is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Ruth, which is part of the Old Testament. He is primarily known as the elder son of Elimelech and Naomi, Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. The narrative of Mahlon is set during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious upheaval in Israel.

Family Background and Migration

Mahlon's family is introduced in Ruth 1:1-2: "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there."

The decision to move to Moab was driven by a severe famine in Bethlehem. Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was a region inhabited by the descendants of Lot. Despite historical tensions between Israel and Moab, Elimelech's family sought refuge there, highlighting the dire circumstances they faced.

Marriage to Ruth

During their time in Moab, Mahlon married Ruth, a Moabite woman. This marriage is significant as it sets the stage for the events that follow in the Book of Ruth. Although the text does not provide extensive details about their marriage, it is clear that Ruth's loyalty and character were exceptional, as later demonstrated in her relationship with Naomi.

Death and Its Aftermath

Mahlon's life in Moab was short-lived, as he died without leaving any children. Ruth 1:3-5 states: "Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband."

The deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion left Naomi and her daughters-in-law in a vulnerable position. In the ancient Near Eastern context, widows without male protectors faced significant social and economic challenges. Naomi's decision to return to Bethlehem and Ruth's choice to accompany her are pivotal moments in the narrative.

Legacy and Redemption

Mahlon's legacy is intricately tied to the account of redemption that unfolds in the Book of Ruth. Ruth's loyalty to Naomi and her subsequent marriage to Boaz, a relative of Elimelech, leads to the restoration of Naomi's family line. Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, marrying Ruth to preserve the family name and inheritance.

Ruth 4:9-10 records Boaz's declaration: "Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, 'Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his hometown. You are witnesses today.'"

Through this union, Ruth and Boaz become the great-grandparents of King David, placing Mahlon within the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:5-6). This connection underscores the providential role that Mahlon's family played in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel and the world.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Mahlon's account, though brief, is rich with cultural and theological implications. It highlights themes of loyalty, redemption, and divine providence. The inclusion of a Moabite woman in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ illustrates the inclusive nature of God's covenant and the breaking down of ethnic barriers in the unfolding of His salvation history.Mahlon

(sick) the first husband of Ruth; son of Eiimelech and Naomi. (Ruth 1:2,5; 4:9,10) comp. 1Sam 17:12

Mahlon

A son of Elimelech and Naomi, and the first husband of Ruth the Moabites, Ruth 1:1-22.

Sickly, the elder of Elimelech the Bethlehemite's two sons by Naomi. He married Ruth and died childless (Ruth 1:2, 5; 4:9, 10), in the land of Moab. MAHLON

ma'-lon (machlon, "invalid"): Ruth's first husband (Ruth 12, 5; 4:9, 10). In the latter passage is further evidence of the unwillingness to allow a family connection or inheritance to drop (see MAHLAH; MAHLI). Note that David's descent and that of his "Greater Son" come through Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:22).

4248. Machlon -- the first husband of Ruth
... 4247, 4248. Machlon. 4249 . the first husband of Ruth. Transliteration: Machlon
Phonetic Spelling: (makh-lone') Short Definition: Mahlon. ... Mahlon. ...
/hebrew/4248.htm - 6k

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

How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ...
... to support his family under so sore a distress, took with him Naomi his wife, and
the children that were born to him by her, Chillon and Mahlon, and removed ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how under elis.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... His name Elimelech, his eldest son Was called Mahlon, t'other Chilion, His wife
was Naomi, Ephrathites they were: They went to Moab and continued there: Where ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... about six miles south of Jerusalem. His wife's name was Naomi, and his
two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. For some years the crops ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.htm

Letter B
... Samuel "Received 1821, Died 1836 * Beck, Asa "Received 1828, Located 1833 * Beckley,
Guy "Received 1827, Located 1836 * Bedell, Mahlon "Received 1827 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter b.htm

Mahlon (4 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MAHLON. ma'-lon (machlon, "invalid"): Ruth's first
husband (Ruth 12, 5; 4:9, 10). ... Multi-Version Concordance Mahlon (4 Occurrences). ...
/m/mahlon.htm - 8k

Mahlon's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mahlon's (2 Occurrences). Ruth 4:9 Boaz said to
the elders, and to all the people, "You are witnesses this ...
/m/mahlon's.htm - 7k

Chilion (3 Occurrences)
... kil'-i-on (kilyon, "pining," "wasting away"): One of the two sons of Elimelech and
Naomi, "Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah" (Ruth 1:2). With ...
/c/chilion.htm - 8k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... The lovable; my delight, the wife of Elimelech, and mother of Mahlon and Chilion,
and mother-in-law of Ruth (1:2, 20, 21; 2:1). Elimelech and his wife left the ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

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

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

Chil'Ion (3 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 ...
/c/chil'ion.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

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

Who was Naomi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Ephrathites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Elimelech in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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