Lexical Summary yabam: husband's brother Original Word: יָבָם 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 Originof 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 LagM ii. 78) — only suffix יְבֶמִי Deuteronomy 25:7, יְבָמָהּ Deuteronomy 25:5, in law of levirate marriage (compare Genesis 38:8; see also DrDeuteronomy 25:5-10). Topical Lexicon Definition and Immediate Context יָבָם (yāḇām) denotes the surviving brother of a deceased, childless man who bears the covenant duty of levirate marriage to the widow (yibbum). The term appears twice, both in Deuteronomy 25, the central biblical statute governing this practice. Old Testament Occurrences • Deuteronomy 25:5 – “Her husband’s brother shall take her in marriage and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her”. Though the word itself is confined to these verses, the institution is illustrated in Genesis 38 (Judah and Tamar), anticipated in Ruth through the kinsman-redeemer Boaz, and referenced by the Sadducees in Matthew 22:24, Mark 12:19, and Luke 20:28. Levirate Marriage in Ancient Israel 1. Preservation of Lineage: The firstborn of the union would “carry on the name of his dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel” (Deuteronomy 25:6). Continuity of covenant inheritance was paramount. Historical Background Archaeological parallels (Nuzi, Hittite laws) reveal similar customs, but Scripture uniquely roots the practice in God’s promise to Abraham’s seed. Israel’s version stresses covenant name and inheritance rather than mere social convention. Typological and Theological Significance • Kinsman-Redeemer Motif: The yāḇām foreshadows the goʾel (redeemer). Boaz combines both roles, prefiguring Christ who, as nearest kin through the incarnation, redeems and raises up a spiritual posterity (Ephesians 1:5-7). Practical Implications for Ministry 1. Sanctity of Family Responsibility: While the civil requirement is not binding under the New Covenant, the principle of familial care (1 Timothy 5:8) remains. Christological Reflections Jesus is both the true Brother and Redeemer. By incarnating, He qualifies as kin; by His death and resurrection, He raises up a seed for God’s glory (Isaiah 53:10). The permanence of His priesthood (Hebrews 7:24) guarantees that no covenant heir will ever lack representation. Summary יָבָם encapsulates God’s provision for lineage, land, and love within Israel’s covenant community, ultimately pointing to the Messiah who fulfills and transcends the earthly pattern by granting His people an everlasting name (Revelation 2:17). Forms and Transliterations יְבָמִ֜י יְבָמָהּ֙ יבמה יבמי yə·ḇā·māh yə·ḇā·mî yəḇāmāh yəḇāmî yevaMah yevaMiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Occurrences |
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