Topical Bible: Marriage: The Jews: Obliged to Contract With a Brother's Wife Who Died Without

◄ Marriage: The Jews: Obliged to Contract With a Brother's Wife Who Died Without ►

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In ancient Jewish culture, marriage was not only a personal or familial matter but also a social and religious obligation. One of the distinctive practices related to marriage was the levirate marriage, a custom that required a man to marry his deceased brother's widow if the brother died without leaving any male heirs. This practice is rooted in the Mosaic Law and is primarily outlined in the Old Testament.

The primary biblical reference for this practice is found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the passage 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 to 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."

This law served several purposes within the Jewish community. Firstly, it ensured the continuation of the deceased brother's lineage, preserving his name and inheritance within the tribe of Israel. Secondly, it provided social and economic protection for the widow, who might otherwise be left vulnerable and without support. Lastly, it reinforced the importance of family solidarity and responsibility, as the surviving brother was expected to fulfill this duty out of loyalty to his family.

The practice of levirate marriage is also illustrated in the narrative of Tamar and Judah in Genesis 38. Tamar was married to Er, Judah's firstborn, who died without leaving an heir. According to the custom, Tamar was then given to Onan, Er's brother. However, Onan's refusal to fulfill his duty led to his own death, and Tamar eventually took matters into her own hands to ensure the continuation of her deceased husband's line.

In the New Testament, the concept of levirate marriage is referenced in a discussion between Jesus and the Sadducees. In Matthew 22:24-28 , the Sadducees present a hypothetical scenario to Jesus, questioning the resurrection and the implications of levirate marriage. They ask, "Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without having children, his brother shall marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For all of them were married to her."

This passage highlights the continued recognition of the levirate marriage practice during the time of Jesus, even as it was used to challenge theological concepts.

While the practice of levirate marriage is not observed in contemporary Jewish or Christian communities, its presence in the biblical text underscores the importance of family, lineage, and social responsibility in ancient Israelite society. The obligation to marry a brother's widow reflects a deep commitment to preserving family heritage and providing for those in need, values that continue to resonate within the broader biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 25:5
If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without to a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother to her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 22:24
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... This Shamasherib is mentioned only on a contract dated from ... Artayntas whom he had
given in marriage to his ... succeeded him in the command were obliged to raise ...
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