2993. yabam

Lexicon

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

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

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

husband's brother

From (the orig. Of) yabam; a brother-in-law -- husband's brother.

see HEBREW yabam

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
husband's brother
NASB Translation
husband's brother (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[יָבָם] noun masculine husband's brother (Late Hebrew id.; ᵑ7 יַבְמָא; see Lag^{M ii. 78}) — only suffix יְבֶמִי Deuteronomy 25:7, יְבָמָהּ Deuteronomy 25:5, in law of levirate marriage (compare Genesis 38:8; see also Dr^{Deuteronomy 25:5-10}).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: This term is derived from a root that is not used in the Hebrew Bible, but it is related to familial relationships, specifically those by marriage.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a brother-in-law in the New Testament is related to the Greek terms:
• G80 (ἀδελφός, adelphos): While primarily meaning "brother," this term can extend to mean a close familial relation, including a brother-in-law in certain contexts.
• G435 (ἀνήρ, anēr): This term means "man" or "husband" and can be used in contexts involving marriage and familial relationships, including those of a brother-in-law.

The practice of levirate marriage, while specific to the cultural and legal context of ancient Israel, highlights the importance of family continuity and social responsibility within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term is used in the context of levirate marriage, a custom in ancient Israelite society where the brother of a deceased man is expected to marry the widow to preserve the family line. This practice is outlined in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.

Context: The concept of יָבָם (yāḇām) is integral to the understanding of family and inheritance laws in ancient Israel. The levirate marriage, as described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, was a means to ensure the continuation of a deceased brother's name and property within the tribe. The brother-in-law, or יָבָם, was expected to marry the widow, and the firstborn son from this union would carry on the name of the deceased brother. This practice not only preserved the family lineage but also provided social and economic protection for the widow. The refusal of a brother-in-law to fulfill this duty could lead to a public ceremony of renunciation, known as "halitzah," where the widow would remove his sandal and spit in his face, symbolizing his failure to uphold his familial responsibilities. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Book of Ruth provides a narrative example of this custom, although Boaz was not the direct brother-in-law but a kinsman-redeemer.

Forms and Transliterations

יְבָמִ֜י יְבָמָהּ֙ יבמה יבמי yə·ḇā·māh yə·ḇā·mî yəḇāmāh yəḇāmî yevaMah yevaMi

Englishman's Concordance

Deuteronomy 25:5
HEB: לְאִ֣ישׁ זָ֑ר יְבָמָהּ֙ יָבֹ֣א עָלֶ֔יהָ
NAS: man. Her husband's brother shall go
KJV: unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in
INT: man A strange her husband's shall go in

Deuteronomy 25:7
HEB: וְאָֽמְרָה֙ מֵאֵ֨ין יְבָמִ֜י לְהָקִ֨ים לְאָחִ֥יו
NAS: and say, 'My husband's brother refuses
KJV: and say, My husband's brother refuseth
INT: and say refuses my husband's to establish his brother

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2993
2 Occurrences

yə·ḇā·māh — 1 Occ.
yə·ḇā·mî — 1 Occ.