infirmity; a harp; pardon
(same as Mahali, Mahlah, Mahli)
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
MAHLON.See Chilion.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
Ruth's first husband (Rth_1:2; Rth_1:5; Rth_4:9). An Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, son of Elimelech and Naomi. Mahlon died in Moab childless, a judgment says the Targum for his marrying a Moabitess.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Mah'lon. (sick). The first husband of Ruth; son of Eiimelech and Naomi. Rth_1:2; Rth_1:5; Rth_4:9-10. Compare 1Sa_17:12.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
ma?lon (מחלון, maḥlōn, ?invalid?): Ruth's first husband (Ruth 12, 5; Rth_4:9, Rth_4:10). 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 (Rth_4:22).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
Mah?lon, one of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, and first husband of Ruth the Moabitess (Rth_1:2, sq.) [RUTH].
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.
Mahlon
(Hebrew Alachlon', מִחְלוֹן, 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 (Rth_1:2; Rth_1:5; Rth_4:9-10). B.C. cir. 1360. SEE RUTH. It is uncertain which was the elder of the two. In the narrative (Rth_1:2; Rth_1:5) Mahlon is mentioned first, but in his formal address to the elders in the gate (Rth_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 (Rth_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.'
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.