### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **yâbâm**, represented by `{{H2993}}`, is a specific term for a **husband's brother**. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. This term is not a general word for a brother-in-law but is used exclusively within the legal framework of Levirate marriage, a practice where a man was obligated to marry his deceased brother's childless widow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The use of `{{H2993}}` is found only in the laws of Deuteronomy, where it establishes a key social and familial responsibility. Scripture commands that if brothers dwell together and one dies without a child, his widow must not marry a stranger outside the family [[Deuteronomy 25:5]]. Instead, her **husband's brother** (yâbâm) is to take her as his wife and fulfill this duty to her. The law also anticipates a scenario of refusal, in which the widow can appeal to the elders, stating, "My **husband's brother** refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel" [[Deuteronomy 25:7]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of this specific familial duty:
* `{{H2992}}` **yâbam** (perform the duty of an husband's brother): This verb defines the action that the `{{H2993}}` is required to perform. It is the act of marrying the widow to continue the deceased brother's lineage [[Deuteronomy 25:5]].
* `{{H2994}}` **Yᵉbêmeth** (brother's wife, sister in law): This is the feminine counterpart, identifying the widow who is the subject of the Levirate law. The term is used when she brings her case before the elders [[Deuteronomy 25:7]].
* `{{H251}}` **ʼâch** (brother): This word establishes the foundational relationship. The entire ordinance is predicated on the bond between brothers who dwell together as a family unit [[Deuteronomy 25:5]].
* `{{H8034}}` **shêm** (name): This term reveals the core purpose of the law. The duty of the husband's brother is to raise up a **name** for his deceased brother in Israel, ensuring his legacy and inheritance are not lost [[Deuteronomy 25:7]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2993}}` is centered on the continuity and stability of the covenant community.
* **Preservation of Lineage:** The primary role of the **husband's brother** was to ensure a family line did not die out. By fulfilling his duty, he was "to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel" [[Deuteronomy 25:7]].
* **Covenantal Responsibility:** This duty was not merely a suggestion but a legal and social obligation. A man's refusal to act as a `{{H2993}}` was a serious matter that was brought before the elders in the gate for public resolution [[Deuteronomy 25:7]].
* **Maintaining Family Inheritance:** The law explicitly prohibits the widow from marrying "unto a stranger" [[Deuteronomy 25:5]]. This ensured that the family's inheritance and land allotment remained within the clan and tribe, preserving the order established in Israel.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2993}}` is a precise legal and familial term identifying the **husband's brother** as the one responsible for perpetuating his deceased brother's line. The concept is a cornerstone of Old Testament law regarding family structure, inheritance, and social stability. It encapsulates a profound duty to preserve a brother's **name** within the people of Israel, demonstrating how kinship, law, and legacy were intrinsically linked in the life of the nation.
TRV