2992. yabam

Lexicon

yabam: To perform the duty of a brother-in-law, to marry a brother's widow

Original Word: יָבַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yabam
Pronunciation: yah-VAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-bam')
Definition: To perform the duty of a brother-in-law, to marry a brother's widow
Meaning: to marry a, brother's widow

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

perform the duty of a husband's brother, marry

A primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from yabam; to marry a (deceased) brother's widow -- perform the duty of a husband's brother, marry.

see HEBREW yabam

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
denominative verb from yabam
Definition
to perform the duty of a husband's brother
NASB Translation
duty as a brother-in-law (1), husband's brother (2), perform the duty (2), perform your duty (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[יָבַם] verb denominative, only

Pi`el do the duty of יָבָם to a brother's widow; Perfect וְיִבְּמָהּ consecutive Deuteronomy 25:5 and shall do a brother-in-law's office to her; Imperative יַבֵּם אֹתָהּ Genesis 38:8 (i.e. אֵשֶׁת אָחִיךָ v^a); Infinitive suffix לֹא אָבָה יַבְּמִי Deuteronomy 25:7 (on nominal suffix as object of infinitive, see Ges^{§ 115} R. 2 near the end).

יַבְנְאֵל, יַבְנֶה, יִבְנְיָה, יִבְנִיָּה see below בנה.

יַבֹּק see below בקק above

יְבֶרֶכְיָ֫הוּ see below ברך above

יִבְשָׂם see below בשׂם above

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G80 (ἀδελφός, adelphos): Brother, used in the context of familial relationships, including the brother-in-law relationship implied in levirate marriage.
• G1918 (ἐπιγαμβρεύω, epigambreuo): To marry a brother's widow, directly corresponding to the Hebrew concept of yāḇam.
• G4924 (συνεπιγαμβρεύω, synepigambreuo): To enter into a levirate marriage, further emphasizing the duty of marrying a brother's widow.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term יָבַם (yāḇam) within its biblical and cultural context, highlighting its significance in maintaining family lineage and property rights in ancient Israel.

Usage: The term is used in the context of levirate marriage, where a man is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring in his brother's name.

Context: The Hebrew verb יָבַם (yāḇam) is rooted in the ancient practice of levirate marriage, a custom that is detailed in the Mosaic Law. This practice is primarily outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, where it is commanded that if a man dies without leaving a son, his brother is to marry the widow. The firstborn son from this union is to carry on the deceased brother's name, ensuring the continuation of his lineage and the retention of his property within the family. This practice was not only a familial duty but also a social and economic necessity in ancient Israelite society, providing security and protection for the widow.

The concept of yāḇam is also illustrated in the narrative of Ruth and Boaz, where Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, a role that overlaps with the duties of a levirate marriage, though not strictly a brother-in-law situation. The practice underscores the importance of family loyalty and the preservation of inheritance within the tribal structure of Israel.

In the New Testament, the concept of levirate marriage is referenced in discussions between Jesus and the Sadducees, as seen in Matthew 22:24-28, where they question Him about the resurrection and the implications of levirate marriage.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיִבְּמָֽהּ׃ וְיַבֵּ֣ם ויבם ויבמה׃ יַבְּמִֽי׃ יבמי׃ veyabBem veyibbeMah wə·yab·bêm wə·yib·bə·māh wəyabbêm wəyibbəmāh yab·bə·mî yabbeMi yabbəmî

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 38:8
HEB: אֵ֥שֶׁת אָחִ֖יךָ וְיַבֵּ֣ם אֹתָ֑הּ וְהָקֵ֥ם
NAS: wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise
KJV: wife, and marry her, and raise up
INT: wife to your brother's and perform to her and raise offspring

Deuteronomy 25:5
HEB: ל֛וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֖ה וְיִבְּמָֽהּ׃
NAS: her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
KJV: her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
INT: to her and take wife and perform

Deuteronomy 25:7
HEB: לֹ֥א אָבָ֖ה יַבְּמִֽי׃
NAS: he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.'
KJV: he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.
INT: is not willing to perform

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2992
3 Occurrences

wə·yab·bêm — 1 Occ.
wə·yib·bə·māh — 1 Occ.
yab·bə·mî — 1 Occ.