Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 25:5
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the assembled Israelites on the plains of Moab, concluding his legal instructions before the nation crosses the Jordan. He issues this ruling as part of a covenant code regulating family continuity and social responsibility.
The words — The Hebrew phrase יֵשְׁב֨וּ אַחִ֜ים יַחְדָּ֗ו (ye.shvu a.chim yach.dav) literally means "brothers dwell together," establishing the residential proximity that triggers the obligation. The clause וּ/בֵ֣ן אֵֽין־ (u./ven ein) literally translates to "and a son is not," specifying the exact condition that activates the law.
The thread — The text establishes the levirate provision in Deuteronomy 25:5 and is directly referenced in Matthew 22:24 and Luke 20:28 during theological disputes, while Genesis 38:8 records Judah invoking this same duty for Onan.
Why it lands — The text commands that a man’s brother must marry his childless widow to preserve the deceased’s lineage, requiring the reader to prioritize familial continuity over personal marriage choices.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 22:24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.
- Luke 20:28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
- Genesis 38:8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”
- Mark 12:19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
- Ruth 1:12 Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons,
- Ruth 3:9 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.”
- Ruth 4:5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”