Mahlon
Mah'lon (Hebrew Alachlon', מִחלוֹן, sickly; Sept. Μααλών, Vulg. Mahalon), the elder of the two sons of Elimelech the Bethlehemite by Naomi; they removed with him to Moab, where this one married Ruth, and died childless (Ru 1:2,5; Ru 4:9-10). B.C. cir. 1360. SEE RUTH. "It is uncertain which was the elder of the two. In the narrative (Ru 1:2,5) Mahlon is mentioned first, but in his formal address to the elders in the gate (Ru 4:9), Boaz says 'Chilion and Mahlon.' Like his brother, Mahlon died in the land of Moab without offspring, which in the Targum on Ruth (Ru 1:5) is explained to have been a judgment for their transgression of the law in marrying a Moabitess. In the Targum on 1Ch 4:22, Mahlon is identified with Joash, possibly on account of the double meaning of the Hebrew word which follows, and which signifies both 'had dominion' and 'married.'
