Entity
Levirate Marriage
A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.
A widow’s marriage to her deceased husband’s brother, whose conditions and purposes vary across ancient traditions.
Text
The term derives from Latin levir, husband’s brother, and has no etymological link to Levites. Deuteronomy 25:5–10 links the case to a brother dying without ben, preservation of his name and a public refusal procedure. Hittite §193 and Middle Assyrian material concern different kinship arrangements, not a single law across the ancient Near EastAncient Near EastA historical and geographical term covering Mesopotamia, the Levant and neighbouring ancient societies.Glossary · Click to read the explanation. [1][8][9]
References and notes
- Deuteronomy 25:5–10 in Hebrew and older JPS; entire passage Deuteronomy 25:5–10, Hebrew and JPS 1917 Return to the text ↑
- Middle Assyrian Laws A; CDLI transliteration of §§30, 33; §43 through later scholarly translation Middle Assyrian Laws Tablet A, KAV 1 / CDLI P281779, §§30, 33, 43 Return to the text ↑
- Martha Roth’s translation of Hittite §§192–195, pp. 236–237; original tablets not collated Martha T. Roth, Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor, Hittite Laws §§192–195, printed p. 236–237 (PDF p. 23–24) Return to the text ↑
Research history
Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.
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Cite this record
IL Archive, «Levirate Marriage», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/levirate-marriage