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Deuteronomy 25:5

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Deuteronomy 25:5

Verse 5 of 19

Scripture focus

If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her.

Deuteronomy 25:5 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5

Theological / Devotional

The duty of a husband’s brother. The purpose of such a marriage was to provide a successor to the deceased (see on Genesis 38:8; Matthew 22:25). The first son born to such a union, commonly called a levirate marriage, was to become the heir of the deceased brother, in order to perpetuate his name and estate. A brother who refused to carry out this duty was held in public disgrace. This custom was common among many ancient nations, with variations, and survived into modern times among descendants of some of the earlier peoples of India. The best-known Biblical example of the operation of the principle of levirate marriage is that of Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1:22; 2:1 to 4:17).

By SdaBc