In biblical terms, the concept of a sister-in-law is primarily understood through familial relationships established by marriage. The term "sister-in-law" refers to the wife of one's brother or the sister of one's spouse. The role and significance of a sister-in-law can be gleaned from various passages in the Bible, which provide insight into family dynamics, social customs, and religious laws of ancient Israel.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where the role of a sister-in-law is highlighted, often in the context of levirate marriage. Levirate marriage was a practice commanded by Mosaic Law, where a man was required to marry his deceased brother's widow if the brother died without leaving a male heir. This practice ensured the continuation of the deceased brother's lineage and provided for the widow.

Deuteronomy 25:5-6 states: "If brothers dwell together and one of them dies without having a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel."

The account of Tamar and Judah in Genesis 38 illustrates the complexities and obligations associated with this practice. Tamar, the widow of Judah's son Er, was initially denied the levirate marriage by Judah's second son, Onan, who was struck down by God for his disobedience. Tamar's persistence in securing her rights under the law eventually led to her becoming the mother of Perez and Zerah, ancestors of King David.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of a sister-in-law is less explicitly addressed, but the familial relationships and obligations remain significant. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize love, respect, and unity within the family, extending to in-laws. The family is seen as a foundational unit of society and the church, with each member playing a vital role in its spiritual and social well-being.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks to the importance of familial relationships and the responsibilities of believers to care for their relatives. While not specifically mentioning sisters-in-law, the principles of love, honor, and mutual support apply to all family members, including in-laws.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The role of a sister-in-law in biblical times was deeply intertwined with cultural and legal expectations. The levirate marriage law underscores the importance of family continuity and the protection of widows within the community. It reflects the broader biblical themes of covenant faithfulness, social justice, and the preservation of family heritage.

In a theological sense, the relationships between in-laws, including sisters-in-law, are seen as opportunities to demonstrate God's love and faithfulness. The family is a microcosm of the church, where believers are called to live out the principles of the Gospel in their daily interactions.

Overall, the biblical portrayal of a sister-in-law, while rooted in ancient customs, continues to offer valuable insights into the nature of family relationships and the call to live in harmony and love as part of God's covenant community.(n.) The sister of one's husband or wife; also, the wife of one's brother; sometimes, the wife of one's husband's or wife's brother.2994. yebemeth -- sister-in-law
... 2993, 2994. yebemeth. 2995 . sister-in-law. Transliteration: yebemeth Phonetic
Spelling: (yeb-ay'-meth) Short Definition: wife. ... brother's wife, sister in law ...
/hebrew/2994.htm - 6k

6204. Orpah -- sister-in-law of Ruth
... 6203, 6204. Orpah. 6205 . sister-in-law of Ruth. Transliteration: Orpah
Phonetic Spelling: (or-paw') Short Definition: Orpah. Word ...
/hebrew/6204.htm - 6k

We Will Pass on to Clear up Another of the Charges, if Only He ...
Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. . ...
/.../we will pass on to.htm

The Devotion of Ruth
... Naomi said, "See, your sister-in-law is going back to her own people and to her
own gods; go along with her!" But Ruth answered, "Do not urge me to leave you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the devotion of ruth.htm

Personal Notes: Relics Nearby that the Three Kings had Given to ...
... they are. Several years ago I gave a little packet, sewn together like
a knob, to my sister-in-law who lives at Flamske. It was ...
/.../the life of the blessed virgin mary/xv personal notes relics nearby.htm

The Return from the Sepulchre.
... Orpha had married again in Moab. By Orpha, the sister-in-law of Ruth, Mara was
connected with the family of David, from whom our Lord was descended. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter liii the return from.htm

How St. Augustine, Being Made a Bishop, Sent to Acquaint Pope ...
... father. It is also prohibited to marry with a sister-in-law, because by
the former union she is become the brother's flesh. For ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvii how st augustine.htm

"The Dust of the Actual"
... Sometimes the glad girl-life reasserts itself, and she plays and laughs with her
sister-in-law's pretty baby boy; but if she hears a man's voice she disappears ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vii the dust of.htm

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... [2490] St. John 19:25. [2491] Thus he would be the same as James the Less,' or rather
the Little,' a son of Mary, the sister-in-law of the Virgin-Mother. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Saint Helena and the Time of Constantine
... Later on, Fausta, another daughter of Maximian, was married to Constantine,
and thus Theodora was made sister-in-law to her own stepson. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iv saint helena and the.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... He lost his sister-in- law, to whom he owed all his fortunes, and who had watched
ever since over him and his wife like a mother; then he lost his wife herself ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Among these was a member of the royal house, Hadad by name, who grew up at the Egyptian
court, and, after marrying the sister-in-law of the Pharaoh, returned ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Sister-in-law (1 Occurrence)
Sister-in-law. Sister, Sister-in-law. Sisters . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
Multi-Version Concordance Sister-in-law (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sister-in-law.htm - 6k

Naomi (25 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:15 And Naomi said, See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people
and to her gods: go back after your sister-in-law. (BBE NIV). ...
/n/naomi.htm - 17k

Sisters (20 Occurrences)

/s/sisters.htm - 13k

Sister (113 Occurrences)
... Ruth 1:15 She said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people,
and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law." (WEB KJV ...
/s/sister.htm - 42k

Nephew (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A cousin. 3. (n.) The son of a brother or a sister, or of a brother-in-
law or sister-in-law. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NEPHEW. ...
/n/nephew.htm - 8k

Wife (437 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BROTHER'S WIFE. (yebhemeth = "a sister-in-law,"
"brother's wife" (Deuteronomy 25:7, 9); 'ishshah = "a woman," "wife"; `esheth ...
/w/wife.htm - 42k

Brother's (46 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BROTHER'S WIFE. (yebhemeth = "a sister-in-law,"
"brother's wife" (Deuteronomy 25:7, 9); 'ishshah = "a woman," "wife"; `esheth ...
/b/brother's.htm - 23k

Brother (402 Occurrences)
... This provision for a specific case modified the general law which forbade
the marriage of a sister-in-law (Leviticus 18:16, 18). ...
/b/brother.htm - 47k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 22:11); of the brother with the sister or half-sister, as for instance,
Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14); of the brother-in-law with the sister-in-law (Matthew 14 ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 22:11); of the brother with the sister or half-sister, as for instance,
Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14); of the brother-in-law with the sister-in-law (Matthew 14 ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

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