Ruth 1:5

KJV

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Mahlon {H4248} and Chilion {H3630} died {H4191} also both {H8147} of them; and the woman {H802} was left {H7604} of her two {H8147} sons {H3206} and her husband {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Machlon and Kilyon died, both of them; and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.

Berean Standard Bible

both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and without her husband.

American Standard Version

And Mahlon and Chilion died both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ruth 1:5 delivers the crushing blow of successive tragedies in Naomi's life, documenting the deaths of her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, after the earlier loss of her husband Elimelech. This verse plunges Naomi into a state of utter desolation, leaving her a childless widow in a foreign land and setting the stage for the desperate circumstances that compel her return to Judah and initiate the narrative's journey toward hope and redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic point of tragedy in the opening exposition of the book of Ruth. It immediately follows the death of Naomi's husband, Elimelech, as recorded in [Ruth 1:3](/ruth/1-3 "Ruth 1:3 - Elimelech's Death"). The preceding verses establish the family's migration from Bethlehem to Moab due to famine ([Ruth 1:1-2](/ruth/1-1 "Ruth 1:1-2 - Migration to Moab")), and the marriages of Mahlon and Chilion to Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth ([Ruth 1:4](/ruth/1-4 "Ruth 1:4 - Sons Marry Moabites")). The cumulative effect of these deaths—first the husband, then both sons—leaves Naomi completely bereft of male support, a situation of profound vulnerability that directly precipitates her decision to return to Bethlehem, as detailed in [Ruth 1:6](/ruth/1-6 "Ruth 1:6 - Naomi's Decision to Return"). This verse is the narrative's lowest point, from which the subsequent themes of loyalty, providence, and redemption begin to unfold.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, a woman's security, status, and economic well-being were inextricably linked to her male relatives—her father, husband, and sons. Widowhood was a precarious state, often leading to poverty and destitution, as widows typically had no independent means of support or inheritance rights. The loss of sons, especially all sons, was even more devastating, as it meant the end of the family line, the absence of an heir to carry on the family name and inherit property, and the complete lack of future provision. For Naomi, a foreigner in Moab, this situation was compounded by her alien status, leaving her without the communal or familial safety nets that might have existed in her homeland. The cultural expectation was for a family line to continue, and the absence of male heirs was a deep personal and social tragedy.

* **Key Themes:** Ruth 1:5 powerfully underscores several key themes central to the book of Ruth and broader biblical narratives. Firstly, it highlights **profound loss and grief**, depicting the successive deaths that strip Naomi of her entire immediate male family, leaving her utterly desolate. This loss is not merely personal but also carries significant social and economic implications, emphasizing the theme of **widowhood and vulnerability** in ancient society. Naomi's state of being "left" emphasizes her **isolation and desolation**, a stark portrayal of human suffering. Yet, even in this moment of extreme sorrow, the verse implicitly sets the stage for the overarching theme of **divine providence**; it is from this nadir that God's unseen hand begins to orchestrate events leading to Naomi's eventual restoration and the continuation of the lineage that would ultimately include King David and the Messiah. Naomi's later self-identification as "Mara" (bitter) in [Ruth 1:20](/ruth/1-20 "Ruth 1:20 - Naomi's Bitterness") directly stems from the tragedies recounted in this verse.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **מַחְלוֹן (Hebrew, _Maḥlôn'_):** The name Mahlon, often translated as "sickly" or "weak," carries a poignant irony in light of his early death. While biblical names frequently reflect character or destiny, here it tragically foreshadows the fate of Naomi's firstborn son. This linguistic detail subtly underscores the fragility of life and the unexpected nature of the unfolding tragedy.
* **כִּלְיוֹן (Hebrew, _Kilyôn'_):** Similarly, the name Chilion, meaning "pining," "failing," or "consumption," also proves tragically prophetic. Like his brother, Chilion's name seems to prefigure his untimely demise, adding another layer of sorrow to Naomi's narrative. The combination of these names for sons who die young amplifies the sense of predestined sorrow and the completeness of Naomi's loss.
* **וַתִּשָּׁאֵר (Hebrew, _wattishsha'eir'_):** This verb, translated as "was left," comes from the root שָׁאַר (sha'ar), meaning "to remain," "to be left over," or "to survive." In this context, it powerfully conveys Naomi's desolate state as the sole survivor of her immediate family unit. It emphasizes her isolation and the completeness of the destruction that has befallen her household. She is literally "what remains" after death has swept away her husband and sons, highlighting her profound vulnerability and the void in her life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them;":** This clause delivers the devastating news of the second wave of deaths in Naomi's family. The inclusion of "also both of them" emphasizes the completeness of this loss, following the death of their father. It signifies not just individual deaths but the eradication of Naomi's male lineage and future support, leaving no male heirs to carry on the family name or provide for her.
* **"and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.":** This concluding phrase encapsulates Naomi's utter desolation. The passive voice, "was left," underscores her powerlessness in the face of these tragedies. She is not the agent of her situation but the victim of circumstances. The phrase "of her two sons and her husband" explicitly states the totality of her loss, highlighting her new status as a childless widow, stripped of all traditional male protection and provision in a foreign land. This state of being "left" is the narrative's emotional nadir, setting the stage for the desperate choices that will drive the story forward.

#### Literary Devices
Ruth 1:5 employs several literary devices to convey the profound tragedy of Naomi's situation. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as the verse echoes the theme of death introduced in [Ruth 1:3](/ruth/1-3 "Ruth 1:3 - Elimelech's Death"). The phrase "died also both of them" reinforces the cumulative nature of Naomi's loss, amplifying the sense of sorrow and despair. There is also a strong element of **Pathos**, as the stark, factual reporting of death evokes deep sympathy for Naomi's plight. Her being "left" is a powerful image of **Isolation** and **Vulnerability**, painting a picture of a woman utterly alone and without support. The names of her sons, Mahlon ("sickly") and Chilion ("pining"), serve as a tragic form of **Foreshadowing** or **Irony**, as their names seem to prefigure their untimely deaths, adding a layer of poignant inevitability to the unfolding tragedy. The verse acts as a narrative **Turning Point**, marking the absolute low point from which the story's themes of hope and redemption will emerge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ruth 1:5 serves as a stark reminder of the reality of suffering and loss in a fallen world, even for those who are faithful. It underscores the fragility of human life and the devastating impact of death. Theologically, it presents a scenario where human plans and security are shattered, forcing a reliance on divine providence. While the immediate context is one of desolation, the broader biblical narrative often shows how God works through such profound emptiness to bring about unexpected redemption and blessing. Naomi's radical loss here is a necessary precursor to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Ruth and Boaz, ultimately leading to the lineage of Christ. This verse highlights the biblical theme of God's special care for the vulnerable, particularly widows, even when their circumstances seem most dire.

* [Job 1:18-19](/job/1-18 "Job's Loss")
* [Lamentations 3:1-3](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-3 - Lament over Suffering")
* [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Care for Widows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ruth 1:5 confronts us with the raw reality of profound loss and the deep sorrow that accompanies it. Naomi's experience reminds us that life is unpredictable, and even the most carefully laid plans can be shattered by unforeseen tragedy. In moments of such overwhelming desolation, it is natural to feel "left" and alone, stripped of all support and hope. This verse invites us to acknowledge the validity of grief and the pain of loss, recognizing that the biblical narrative does not shy away from depicting human suffering in its starkest forms. However, it also subtly points to the truth that even in the deepest valleys of despair, God's sovereign hand is at work, often preparing the ground for unexpected blessings and redemptive turns. Naomi's story, beginning here in utter emptiness, ultimately becomes a testament to God's faithfulness and ability to bring life out of death, and joy out of sorrow. It challenges us to trust in God's providence even when circumstances seem utterly bleak, and to remember that our lowest points can be the prelude to God's greatest works of restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Naomi's experience of successive loss in Ruth 1:5 resonate with or challenge your understanding of suffering in the lives of believers?**
* **In what ways might the feeling of being "left" or utterly alone, as Naomi was, be a common human experience, and how does faith inform our response to such feelings?**
* **Considering the ultimate outcome of the book of Ruth, how does this verse, a moment of profound despair, contribute to the narrative's message of hope and redemption?**

### FAQ
**Why doesn't the Bible specify the cause of Mahlon and Chilion's deaths?**

Answer: The Bible often focuses on the theological and narrative impact of events rather than providing exhaustive medical or circumstantial details. In Ruth 1:5, the cause of death is less important than the *fact* of their deaths and its devastating *consequence* for Naomi. The text emphasizes the completeness of her loss, highlighting her extreme vulnerability and setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of God's providence and the subsequent actions of Ruth and Boaz. The lack of detail amplifies the suddenness and finality of the tragedy, underscoring Naomi's immediate and profound desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ruth 1:5, with its depiction of profound loss and desolation, lays crucial groundwork for understanding the greater redemptive work of Christ. Naomi's utter emptiness—bereft of husband and sons, without an heir or a redeemer—foreshadows humanity's desperate need for a kinsman-redeemer. Her bitter cry, "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" ([Ruth 1:20](/ruth/1-20 "Ruth 1:20 - Naomi's Bitterness")), echoes the deep sorrow and brokenness of a world separated from God. Yet, it is precisely from this place of profound loss that God's redemptive plan begins to unfold, culminating in the birth of Obed, who becomes part of the lineage of David ([Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18 "Ruth 4:18-22 - The Genealogy of David")) and ultimately, Jesus Christ. Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, entered into the depths of human suffering and loss, experiencing abandonment and death on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Abandonment")). He became "left" for our sake, so that we might never be truly abandoned. Through His death, He conquered death and brought forth new life, transforming our spiritual desolation into abundant spiritual inheritance ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"); [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Naomi's story of emptiness leading to fullness, through the selfless love of Ruth and the gracious provision of Boaz, is a beautiful, albeit partial, picture of the greater redemption found in the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 49:21

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where [had] they [been]?

Luke 7:12

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

Jeremiah 2:19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

Psalms 89:30

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Psalms 89:32

Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

Matthew 22:25

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: