The custom here regulated seems to have been in the Jewish law in order to keep inheritances distinct; now it is unlawful.
Bible Commentary
Deuteronomy 25:5-12
Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 25:5-12
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal
Recommended reading
More for Deuteronomy 25:5-12
Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.
Other commentaries
The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:1-19Deuteronomy 25:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION LAWS RELATING TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, LEVIRATE MARRIAGES, AND WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.Marriage of a Brother's Wife. (b. c. 1451.)Deuteronomy 25:5-12 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleMARRIAGE OF A BROTHER'S WIFE. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. The law settled concerning the marrying of the brother's widow. It appears from the story of Judah's family that this had been an ancient usage (Genesis 38:8), for…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Deuteronomy 25:5-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryFamily honor to be maintained. This law supposes a state of society and a kind of public opinion which does not now exist, and in detail it is therefore obsolete. But the principle it involves is clear, viz. that in mar…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Deuteronomy 25:5-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe levitate law. At the root of this law, which obtained widely in the East, we find ideas and feelings such as these— I. RESPECT FOR THE HONOR OF THE FAMILY. In the East, as is well known, childlessness is reckoned a…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Deuteronomy 25:5-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe rights of the firstborn. We have already observed that the firstborn had a right to a double share of the family inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). We have before us another of his rights—a seed was to be raised up un…The Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Deuteronomy 25:5-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryLevirate marriages. If a man who was married died without issue, his surviving brother was required to marry the widow, so as to raise up a successor to the deceased, who should be his heir. The brother who refused this…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:1-19EXPOSITION LAWS RELATING TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, LEVIRATE MARRIAGES, AND WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMarriage of a Brother's Wife. (b. c. 1451.)MARRIAGE OF A BROTHER'S WIFE. (B. C. 1451.) Here is, I. The law settled concerning the marrying of the brother's widow. It appears from the story of Judah's family that this had been an ancient usage (Genesis 38:8), for…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5Dwell together; i.e. not necessarily in the same house, but in the same community or place (cf. Genesis 13:6; Genesis 26:7). And have no child; literally, have no son; but this is rightly interpreted as meaning child (s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10The rights of the firstborn. We have already observed that the firstborn had a right to a double share of the family inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). We have before us another of his rights—a seed was to be raised up un…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10The levitate law. At the root of this law, which obtained widely in the East, we find ideas and feelings such as these— I. RESPECT FOR THE HONOR OF THE FAMILY. In the East, as is well known, childlessness is reckoned a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Levirate marriages. If a man who was married died without issue, his surviving brother was required to marry the widow, so as to raise up a successor to the deceased, who should be his heir. The brother who refused this…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-10Family honor to be maintained. This law supposes a state of society and a kind of public opinion which does not now exist, and in detail it is therefore obsolete. But the principle it involves is clear, viz. that in mar…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:6Shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead; literally, shall rise up on the name of his deceased brother; i.e. shall be enrolled in the family register as heir of the deceased, and shall perpetuate his name.Joseph S. Exell and contributors