Wife, Brother's
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Wife, Brother's in the Bible?
Levirate marriage is a social institution where a man is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring for the deceased brother's lineage.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this custom clarifies the social obligations and family dynamics depicted in biblical narratives, such as the story of Judah and Tamar or the marriage of Ruth and Boaz.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Wife, Brother's. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Wife, Brother's in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Wife, Brother's clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Wife, Brother's." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/wife-brothers/