Deuteronomy 25:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The first son born to the widow inherits the dead man's name and estate.
The Context of Deuteronomy 25:6
How the firstborn child redeems the dead man's legacy.
What Does Deuteronomy 25:6 Mean?
The child born from this marriage would be reckoned as the son of the dead brother, not the biological father. By this legal fiction, the dead man had an heir, an inheritance holder, and someone to bear and preserve his name in the land. The deceased remained present in his lineage.
Names in Israel meant survival of memory and property rights. When a name was 'put out,' it meant that entire house ceased: no inheritance, no continuation, no one to invoke the ancestors. This law prevented that erasure and made clear that even death did not sever the covenant ties of family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 25:6
What does Deuteronomy 25:6 mean?
The first son born to the widow inherits the dead man's name and estate.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 25:6?
How the firstborn child redeems the dead man's legacy.