Person
Mahlon
son of Naomi, first husband of Ruth
Son of Elimelech and Naomi and husband of Ruth the Moabitess, whose death in Moab drives the events of the book of Ruth.
Who or what is this?
Mahlon was the elder son of and , who left with his family during a famine and settled in . There he married the Moabitess. Mahlon died in Moab along with his father and brother , leaving Naomi bereft of husband and sons. His death is what sets the stage for the book of Ruth: Naomi's decision to return to Bethlehem and Ruth's loyal accompaniment. In Ruth 4, names Mahlon explicitly when he redeems the property and takes Ruth as his wife, saying he is acquiring Ruth to raise up the name of the dead over his inheritance.
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Where this appears in Scripture
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