a primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from יָבָם; to marry a (deceased) brother's widow; perform the duty of a husband's brother, marry.
Transliteration:yâbam
Pronunciation:yaw-bam'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb יָבַם (yâbam - `{{H2992}}`) is a denominative verb derived from יָבָם (yâbâm - `{{H2993}}`), meaning "husband's brother" or "brother-in-law." While its root meaning is described as "doubtful," its usage is singularly focused on a specific socio-legal practice: levirate marriage. The core meaning is "to marry a (deceased) brother's widow" or "to perform the duty of a husband's brother." This duty, known as *yibbum*, was designed to perpetuate the name and lineage of a deceased brother who died without male offspring, ensuring the continuity of his family line and the preservation of his inheritance within the tribal land. The semantic range of yâbam is therefore highly specialized and intrinsically linked to this ancient Israelite custom.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb יָבַם (yâbam - `{{H2992}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Deuteronomy, specifically in the context of the levirate marriage law.
* [[Deuteronomy 25:7]]: This verse describes the scenario where a man refuses to fulfill the duty of *yibbum* towards his deceased brother's widow. The text states, "If the man does not desire to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up for his brother a name in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother for me.'" Here, the verb יָבַם clearly denotes the act of marrying the widow to continue the family line.
* [[Deuteronomy 25:9]]: This verse details the public shaming ritual for the man who refuses this duty: "Then his brother's wife shall come near to him in the presence of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall answer and say, 'Thus it shall be done to the man who will not build up his brother's house.'" The phrase "will not build up his brother's house" is a euphemism for refusing to יָבַם (yâbam).
While the verb yâbam is limited to these two occurrences, the concept of levirate marriage is illustrated elsewhere in the Old Testament. The most prominent example is the narrative of Judah and Tamar in [[Genesis 38]], where Judah's sons Er and Onan are expected to perform this duty for Tamar. Although the Mosaic law had not yet been given, the societal expectation was clearly in place. The Book of Ruth, particularly [[Ruth 4]], presents a related but distinct concept of the kinsman-redeemer (גָּאַל - `{{H1350}}`) who marries the widow to preserve the family inheritance, even if not the deceased's direct brother. These narratives underscore the vital importance of family continuity and land inheritance in ancient Israelite society, which the law of yibbum was designed to uphold.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of יָבַם (yâbam - `{{H2992}}`) is enriched by understanding its lexical family and associated concepts:
* יָבָם (yâbâm - `{{H2993}}`): This is the masculine noun meaning "husband's brother" or "brother-in-law," from which the verb yâbam is derived. It identifies the specific individual obligated to perform the levirate duty.
* יְבָמָה (yebamah - `{{H2994}}`): This is the feminine noun, meaning "brother's wife," specifically the widow who is to be married in a levirate union.
* בָּנָה (banah - `{{H1129}}`): "to build." The phrase "build up his brother's house" in [[Deuteronomy 25:9]] metaphorically refers to the continuation of the family line through offspring, highlighting the purpose of yibbum.
* גָּאַל (ga'al - `{{H1350}}`): "to redeem," "to act as kinsman-redeemer." While distinct from strict levirate marriage, the *go'el* (redeemer) shared the responsibility of preserving family land and lineage, often involving marriage to a widow, as exemplified by Boaz in the Book of Ruth. Both yâbam and ga'al serve to maintain the socio-economic and genealogical integrity of the Israelite family.
* **Levirate Marriage**: The overarching legal and social institution that yâbam describes, emphasizing the duty of a surviving brother to marry his deceased, childless brother's widow.
* **Inheritance and Land Tenure**: The practice of yibbum was crucial for ensuring that family land, a foundational element of Israelite identity and economic stability, remained within the proper lineage.
* **Continuity of Name and Lineage**: A primary goal of levirate marriage was to "raise up a name" for the deceased, preventing his memory from being extinguished in Israel.
### Theological Significance
The institution of yibbum, expressed by the verb יָבַם (yâbam - `{{H2992}}`), carries profound theological implications within the covenant framework of ancient Israel:
* **Divine Concern for the Vulnerable**: The law of yibbum provided a measure of social security for the childless widow, who in ancient society was particularly vulnerable to poverty and exploitation. It reflects God's compassionate concern for the marginalized and His desire for justice within the community.
* **Preservation of the Covenant Line**: The emphasis on "raising up a name" and "building up a brother's house" underscores the theological importance of lineage in Israel. The covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham regarding land and descendants, were intricately tied to the continuity of family lines. Yibbum served to ensure that the tribal and family structures, through which God's promises were mediated, remained intact.
* **Stewardship of the Land**: The land of Israel was considered a divine gift, held in trust by families. Levirate marriage helped prevent the fragmentation or alienation of family inheritances, thereby maintaining the divinely ordained socio-economic order and the perpetual nature of land tenure within the tribes.
* **Holiness and Purity of Israel**: The detailed laws surrounding marriage and family life in Deuteronomy reflect God's call for Israel to be a holy nation, set apart for His purposes. The specific regulations surrounding yibbum contributed to the orderly and righteous functioning of the community, upholding its distinct identity.
* **Forecasting Messianic Lineage (Indirect)**: While not directly messianic, the meticulous preservation of genealogies, aided by practices like yibbum and the kinsman-redeemer, was essential for tracing the lineage of the Messiah. The stories of Judah and Tamar, and especially Ruth and Boaz, illustrate how seemingly ordinary acts of family duty contributed to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the Davidic line.
### Summary
The verb יָבַם (yâbam - `{{H2992}}`) specifically denotes the act of performing levirate marriage, a unique and vital duty in ancient Israelite society. Derived from the noun יָבָם (yâbâm - `{{H2993}}`) meaning "husband's brother," its meaning is consistently "to marry a deceased brother's widow." This practice, detailed in [[Deuteronomy 25:5-10]], aimed to preserve the deceased brother's name and lineage, ensure the continuity of his inheritance within the family's tribal land, and provide for the welfare of the childless widow. Theologically, yâbam reflects God's concern for justice, the vulnerable, and the meticulous preservation of family lines crucial for the unfolding of His covenant promises to Israel. It highlights the profound interconnectedness of family, land, and divine purpose in the biblical narrative.
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