Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
the First Week of Advent
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Encyclopedias
Husband's Brother
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for
or
( יבם , yābhām , "brother-in-law"; ἐπιγαμβρεύω , epigambreúō ; Late Latin levir): He was required ( Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Matthew 22:24 ) "to perform the duty of a husband's brother" (yibbemāh ); that is, if his brother, living with him on the paternal estate, died without male issue, he should take the widow to wife, and "raise up seed unto his brother," the firstborn of the new marriage inheriting the deceased brother's estate. Refusal of the duty was possible, but entailed public ceremonial disgrace and lasting reproach. This provision for a specific case modified the general law which forbade the marriage of a sister-in-law (Leviticus 18:16 , Leviticus 18:18 ). It was a patriarchal custom (Gen 38; Judah and Tamar), and is alluded to in Rth 1:11-13. A related custom is found in Rth 4:1, Boaz playing; however, the part, not of levir ("brother-in-law"), but of gō‛ēl ("redeemer"). It was at least theoretically in force in our Lord's time (Matthew 22:23-28; the question of the Sadducees concerning the resurrection). For the origin and object of this custom see FAMILY; MARRIAGE .
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Husband's Brother'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​isb/​h/husbands-brother.html. 1915.