Deuteronomy 25:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If a man dies childless, his brother must marry his widow to preserve the family line.
The Context of Deuteronomy 25:5
Preserving family continuity when death threatens it.
What Does Deuteronomy 25:5 Mean?
When brothers lived together as one household and one died without children, the family faced a void: no heir to inherit the land, no son to carry the name. The law required the surviving brother to marry the widow, ensuring she was not abandoned and the dead man's house remained intact.
This custom, called levirate marriage, was a mercy to the widow and a protection of property. The widow's security was guaranteed, and the family structure that provided for widows, orphans, and elderly relatives remained unbroken. The law treated both the widow and the name of the dead as worthy of protection.
Deuteronomy 25:5 in the Original Language
yibum (יִבּוּם), 'perform the duty of' — the specific obligation of a brother to marry his dead brother's widow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 25:5
What does Deuteronomy 25:5 mean?
If a man dies childless, his brother must marry his widow to preserve the family line.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 25:5?
Preserving family continuity when death threatens it.