Deuteronomy 25:5 - If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.
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What does "Deuteronomy 25:5" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 25:5 outlines a specific legal and social practice known as Levirate marriage. Let's break down what it means:
"If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no son..." This sets the scenario: Two or more brothers are living in proximity or community, and one of them passes away. Crucially, he dies without leaving a male heir.
"...the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger." This prohibits the widow from marrying someone outside of her deceased husband's family line. The purpose is to keep the inheritance within the family.
"Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her." This is the core of Levirate marriage. The surviving brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow. His responsibility isn't simply to marry her but to "perform the duty of a husband's brother to her," which primarily means fathering a son with her.
Purpose and Significance:
The main purpose of Levirate marriage was to:
Continue the family line: The first son born from this union was considered the legal heir of the deceased brother. This ensured that his name and lineage would not disappear.
Keep inheritance within the family: By producing an heir for the deceased, the property and inheritance allocated to that brother would stay within the family.
Provide for the widow: In ancient societies, widows were often vulnerable and lacked financial security. Levirate marriage provided a social safety net by ensuring the widow was cared for and had a place within the family.
Important Considerations:
Duty, not choice: This was a legal and social obligation for the surviving brother. It wasn't necessarily based on personal desire.
Potential for refusal (and consequences): Deuteronomy 25:7-10 outlines a procedure if the surviving brother refuses to perform his duty. The widow could publicly shame him, and he would bear a stigma.
Social context: Understanding Levirate marriage requires considering the cultural and social context of ancient Israel, where family lineage and inheritance were paramount.
Impact on the widow: While intended to protect her, Levirate marriage could also limit the widow's choices. She might be forced to marry a brother she didn't love or one who already had a family.
In summary, Deuteronomy 25:5 describes the practice of Levirate marriage, where a surviving brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow in order to continue the deceased's family line, secure his inheritance, and provide for the widow's well-being.
Deuteronomy 25:5 - If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.
What does "Deuteronomy 25:5" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 25:5 outlines a specific legal and social practice known as Levirate marriage. Let's break down what it means:
"If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies, and has no son..." This sets the scenario: Two or more brothers are living in proximity or community, and one of them passes away. Crucially, he dies without leaving a male heir.
"...the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger." This prohibits the widow from marrying someone outside of her deceased husband's family line. The purpose is to keep the inheritance within the family.
"Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her." This is the core of Levirate marriage. The surviving brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow. His responsibility isn't simply to marry her but to "perform the duty of a husband's brother to her," which primarily means fathering a son with her.
Purpose and Significance:
The main purpose of Levirate marriage was to:
Continue the family line: The first son born from this union was considered the legal heir of the deceased brother. This ensured that his name and lineage would not disappear.
Keep inheritance within the family: By producing an heir for the deceased, the property and inheritance allocated to that brother would stay within the family.
Provide for the widow: In ancient societies, widows were often vulnerable and lacked financial security. Levirate marriage provided a social safety net by ensuring the widow was cared for and had a place within the family.
Important Considerations:
Duty, not choice: This was a legal and social obligation for the surviving brother. It wasn't necessarily based on personal desire.
Potential for refusal (and consequences): Deuteronomy 25:7-10 outlines a procedure if the surviving brother refuses to perform his duty. The widow could publicly shame him, and he would bear a stigma.
Social context: Understanding Levirate marriage requires considering the cultural and social context of ancient Israel, where family lineage and inheritance were paramount.
Impact on the widow: While intended to protect her, Levirate marriage could also limit the widow's choices. She might be forced to marry a brother she didn't love or one who already had a family.
In summary, Deuteronomy 25:5 describes the practice of Levirate marriage, where a surviving brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow in order to continue the deceased's family line, secure his inheritance, and provide for the widow's well-being.