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, a significant location in biblical history, often associated with the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Chilion is primarily found in the opening chapter of the Book of Ruth. During a time of famine in Bethlehem, Elimelech decides to move his family to the land of Moab, a neighboring region east of the Dead Sea. The text states: "Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab" (Ruth 1:1).

In Moab, Chilion and his family settle and adapt to their new environment. The narrative continues: "They entered the land of Moab and settled there" (Ruth 1:2). During their time in Moab, Chilion and his brother Mahlon marry Moabite women. Chilion's wife is named Orpah, while Mahlon marries Ruth. These marriages are significant as they highlight the integration and interaction between the Israelites and the Moabites, despite the historical tensions between the two peoples.

Death and Legacy

Tragically, Chilion's life in Moab is short-lived. The Bible records that both he and his brother Mahlon die, leaving their mother Naomi and their wives as widows. "Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband" (Ruth 1:5). The deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion set the stage for the central narrative of the Book of Ruth, focusing on the loyalty and faithfulness of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi.

Chilion's death, along with that of his brother and father, serves as a catalyst for Naomi's return to Bethlehem. It is during this return that Ruth famously pledges her loyalty to Naomi, saying, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (Ruth 1:16). This declaration is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, emphasizing themes of faith, loyalty, and divine providence.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Chilion's account, though brief, is part of a larger narrative that underscores the sovereignty of God in the lives of His people. The events in Moab, including the marriages and subsequent deaths, are instrumental in bringing Ruth into the lineage of David and, by extension, the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The inclusion of a Moabite woman in this lineage highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Chilion's life and death remind readers of the transient nature of human existence and the enduring faithfulness of God. His account, while marked by tragedy, ultimately contributes to the unfolding of God's purposes in history, as seen in the redemption and restoration that follow in the narrative of Ruth.Ruth 1:2,4,5
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 Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Nave's Topical Index

Ruth 4:9
And Boaz 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, of the hand of Naomi.
Nave's Topical Index

3630. Kilyon -- a son of Naomi
... Word Origin from kalah Definition a son of Naomi NASB Word Usage Chilion (3).
Chilion. A form of killayown; Kiljon, an Israelite -- Chilion. ...
/hebrew/3630.htm - 6k

The Devotion of Ruth
... all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's from Naomi. Moreover, I have secured Ruth, the
Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife so that she may have a son who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner
... name was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. ... went to live in his home;
so that Naomi's life was ... And Boaz and Ruth had a son, whom they named Obed ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of ruth the.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

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus