Lexicon yabam: To perform the duty of a brother-in-law, to marry a brother's widow Original Word: יָבָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance husband's brother From (the orig. Of) yabam; a brother-in-law -- husband's brother. see HEBREW yabam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition husband's brother NASB Translation husband's brother (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָבָם] noun masculine husband's brother (Late Hebrew id.; ᵑ7 יַבְמָא; see LagM ii. 78) — only suffix יְבֶמִי Deuteronomy 25:7, יְבָמָהּ Deuteronomy 25:5, in law of levirate marriage (compare Genesis 38:8; see also DrDeuteronomy 25:5-10). Topical Lexicon Word Origin: This term is derived from a root that is not used in the Hebrew Bible, but it is related to familial relationships, specifically those by marriage.Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a brother-in-law in the New Testament is related to the Greek terms: Usage: The term is used in the context of levirate marriage, a custom in ancient Israelite society where the brother of a deceased man is expected to marry the widow to preserve the family line. This practice is outlined in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. Context: The concept of יָבָם (yāḇām) is integral to the understanding of family and inheritance laws in ancient Israel. The levirate marriage, as described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, was a means to ensure the continuation of a deceased brother's name and property within the tribe. The brother-in-law, or יָבָם, was expected to marry the widow, and the firstborn son from this union would carry on the name of the deceased brother. This practice not only preserved the family lineage but also provided social and economic protection for the widow. The refusal of a brother-in-law to fulfill this duty could lead to a public ceremony of renunciation, known as "halitzah," where the widow would remove his sandal and spit in his face, symbolizing his failure to uphold his familial responsibilities. The story of Ruth and Boaz in the Book of Ruth provides a narrative example of this custom, although Boaz was not the direct brother-in-law but a kinsman-redeemer. Forms and Transliterations יְבָמִ֜י יְבָמָהּ֙ יבמה יבמי yə·ḇā·māh yə·ḇā·mî yəḇāmāh yəḇāmî yevaMah yevaMiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 25:5 HEB: לְאִ֣ישׁ זָ֑ר יְבָמָהּ֙ יָבֹ֣א עָלֶ֔יהָ NAS: man. Her husband's brother shall go KJV: unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in INT: man A strange her husband's shall go in Deuteronomy 25:7 2 Occurrences |