Topical Bible: Kilion

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Topical Encyclopedia

Kilion, also spelled Chilion, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ruth. 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 severe famine in their homeland. This narrative is set during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and religious upheaval in Israel.

Biblical Account

The primary account of Kilion is found in Ruth 1:1-5. The text states: "In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the land of Moab with his wife and two sons. The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the land of Moab and settled there. Then Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. They took Moabite wives, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. And after they had lived in Moab about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband" .

Family and Marriage

Kilion, along with his brother Mahlon, married Moabite women. Kilion's wife was Orpah. The marriages to Moabite women are significant, as they reflect the family's integration into Moabite society, despite the Israelites' general prohibition against intermarriage with foreign nations due to religious and cultural differences (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The narrative does not provide extensive details about Kilion's life or his relationship with Orpah, but his marriage is a pivotal element in the unfolding account of Ruth and Naomi.

Death and Legacy

Kilion's death, along with that of his brother Mahlon, left Naomi bereft of her immediate family, setting the stage for the return to Bethlehem and the subsequent events involving Ruth. The deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon, and Kilion are seen as a turning point in the narrative, emphasizing themes of loss, providence, and redemption. Kilion's death, while tragic, serves as a catalyst for the account of Ruth, which ultimately leads to the lineage of King David and, by extension, the genealogy of Jesus Christ as outlined in the New Testament (Matthew 1:5-6).

Name and Meaning

The name Kilion is of uncertain etymology, but it is often thought to mean "wasting" or "pining," which some scholars suggest may foreshadow his early death. The names of biblical characters frequently carry significant meanings that reflect their roles or fates within the narrative.

Theological Significance

Kilion's account, though brief, is part of the larger narrative of God's providential care and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. The Book of Ruth highlights God's faithfulness and the inclusion of Gentiles into His covenant community, as seen in Ruth's eventual role in the lineage of David. Kilion's life and death, while seemingly minor, contribute to the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.

Concordance

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. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
(See NIV)

Ruth 1:5
Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.
(See NIV)

Ruth 4:9
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, from the hand of Naomi.
(See NIV)

Thesaurus

Kilion (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kilion (3 Occurrences). Ruth 1:2 The name of
the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and ...
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