Deuteronomy 25:5
If brothers live together and one of them dies without a son, the dead man's wife must not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her brother-in-law is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her.
Additional Resources
Other Translations
King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the ad shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
KJV1611 – Modern English
If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry outside to a stranger; her husband's brother shall go to her and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
King James Version 1611 (Original)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers
If brethren{H251} dwell{H3427} together,{H3162} and one{H259} of them die,{H4191} and have no son,{H1121} the wife{H802} of the dead{H4191} shall not be married without{H2351} unto a stranger:{H376} her husband's brother{H2993} shall go in{H935} unto her, and take{H3947} her to him to wife,{H802} and perform the duty of a husband's brother{H2992} unto her.
King James Version with Strong's Numbers
If brethren{H251} dwell{H3427}{(H8799)} together{H3162}, and one{H259} of them die{H4191}{(H8804)}, and have no child{H1121}, the wife{H802} of the dead{H4191}{(H8801)} shall not marry without{H2351} unto a stranger{H376}{H2114}{(H8801)}: her husband's brother{H2993} shall go in{H935}{(H8799)} unto her, and take{H3947}{(H8804)} her to him to wife{H802}, and perform the duty of an husband's brother{H2992}{(H8762)} unto her.
Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)
When brethern dwell together and one of them dye ad haue no childe, the wyfe of the deed shall not be geuen out vnto a straunger: but hir brotherlawe shall goo in vnto her and take her to wife and marie her.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
Whan brethren dwell together, and one of them dye with out children, then shall not ye wife of the deed take a straunge man without, but hir kynsman shal go in vnto her, and take her to wyfe:
Geneva Bible (1560)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them dye & haue no sonne, the wife of the dead shall not marry without: that is, vnto a stranger, but his kinseman shall goe in vnto her, and take her to wife, and doe the kinsemans office to her.
Bishops' Bible (1568)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them dye, and haue no chylde, the wyfe of the dead shall not marry without vnto a straunger: but his kinsman shall go in vnto her, & take her to wife, and occupie the rowme of his kinsman.
Authorized King James Version (1611)
¶ If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
Webster's Bible (1833)
If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)
`When brethren dwell together, and one of them hath died, and hath no son, the wife of the dead is not without to a strange man; her husband's brother doth go in unto her, and hath taken her to him for a wife, and doth perform the duty of her husband's brother;
American Standard Version (1901)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her.
American Standard Version (1901)
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her.
Bible in Basic English (1941)
If brothers are living together and one of them, at his death, has no son, the wife of the dead man is not to be married outside the family to another man: let her husband's brother go in to her and make her his wife, doing as it is right for a brother-in-law to do.
World English Bible (2000)
If brothers dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.
NET Bible® (New English Translation)
Respect for the Sanctity of Others If brothers live together and one of them dies without having a son, the dead man’s wife must not remarry someone outside the family. Instead, her late husband’s brother must go to her, marry her, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law.
Referenced Verses
- Matt 22:24 : 24 saying, 'Teacher, Moses said: If a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.'
- Mark 12:19 : 19 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife but no children, the man should marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.'
- Luke 20:28 : 28 'Teacher,' they said, 'Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but has no children, the man should marry the widow to raise up offspring for his brother.'
- Gen 38:8-9 : 8 Then Judah said to Onan, 'Lie with your brother's widow, perform your duty as her brother-in-law, and produce offspring for your brother.' 9 However, Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he went in to his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid producing offspring for his brother.
- Ruth 1:12-13 : 12 Return home, my daughters. I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters, it is more bitter for me than for you because the LORD’s hand has turned against me."
- Ruth 4:5 : 5 Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to maintain the name of the dead on his inheritance.'
- Ruth 3:9 : 9 He asked, 'Who are you?' She answered, 'I am Ruth, your servant. Spread the corner of your garment over your servant, for you are a guardian-redeemer.'
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- Deut 25:6-94 verses85%
6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name is not blotted out of Israel.
7 But if the man does not wish to marry his brother's widow, she shall go to the elders at the city gate and say, 'My brother-in-law is refusing to perform his duty to preserve his brother's name in Israel. He is unwilling to marry me.'
8 Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. If he persists and says, 'I do not want to marry her,'
9 then his brother's widow shall approach him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and declare, 'This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother's family line.'
- Matt 22:24-263 verses84%
24 saying, 'Teacher, Moses said: If a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.'
25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.
26 The same thing happened to the second and third, and so on through all seven.
- Mark 12:19-213 verses80%
19 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife but no children, the man should marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.'
20 'Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no children.'
21 'The second brother married her and also died, leaving no children. The same happened to the third, and likewise to all seven.'
- Luke 20:28-314 verses79%
28 'Teacher,' they said, 'Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but has no children, the man should marry the widow to raise up offspring for his brother.'
29 Now there were seven brothers. The first married a wife and died childless.
30 Then the second brother married her, but he also died childless.
31 The third married her as well, and in the same way, all seven brothers died, leaving no children.
- Num 27:8-114 verses78%
8 Speak to the Israelites and say: If a man dies and has no son, transfer his inheritance to his daughter.
9 If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers.
10 If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers.
11 If his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, and they shall possess it. This shall be a legal statute for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.
- Lev 20:20-212 verses77%
20 If a man lies with his aunt, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness. They shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
21 If a man marries his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
- Gen 38:8-92 verses76%
8 Then Judah said to Onan, 'Lie with your brother's widow, perform your duty as her brother-in-law, and produce offspring for your brother.'
9 However, Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, so whenever he went in to his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid producing offspring for his brother.
- 75%
25 If one of your fellow Israelites becomes poor and sells some of their property, their nearest relative is to come and redeem what they have sold.
- Exod 21:9-102 verses75%
9 If he designates her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
10 If he takes another wife, he must not diminish her food, clothing, or marital rights.
- 74%
16 Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
- 74%
35 If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner or temporary resident, so they can live among you.
- 73%
2 Except for a close relative, his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, or his brother.
- 73%
18 Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
- Deut 22:1-22 verses73%
1 If you see your brother's ox or sheep wandering off, do not ignore it. Be sure to return it to your brother.
2 If your brother is not nearby or you do not know who he is, take the animal to your house and keep it with you until your brother comes looking for it. Then, you must return it to him.
- 72%
25 Priests must not come near a dead person and defile themselves, except for a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or an unmarried sister. For these, they may defile themselves.
- 72%
3 If the second man also dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if the second man dies,
- 72%
47 If a foreigner residing among you becomes rich and any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to the foreigner or to a member of the foreigner’s clan,
- 72%
13 and another man has sexual relations with her secretly, and it is hidden from her husband, and she is not caught but has become defiled, even though there is no witness against her,
- 72%
5 Then Boaz said, 'On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to maintain the name of the dead on his inheritance.'
- 72%
38 Instead, you must go to my father's household and to my family to take a wife for my son.'
- 72%
15 If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the firstborn is the son of the unloved wife,
- 72%
30 You will become engaged to a woman, but another man will violate her. You will build a house, but you will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not enjoy its fruit.
- 72%
7 If anyone is engaged to a woman but has not yet married her, let him go back to his house, lest he die in battle and another man marry her.
- 72%
8 'Every daughter who inherits land from the tribes of Israel must marry within a clan of her father’s tribe, so that every Israelite may retain the inheritance of their ancestors.'
- Rom 7:2-32 verses71%
2 For a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.
3 Consequently, while her husband is still alive, she would be called an adulteress if she joins herself to another man; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so she would not be an adulteress by becoming another man’s wife.
- 71%
25 But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and forces her and lies with her, only the man who has done this shall die.
- 70%
14 Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
- 70%
11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married their cousins.
- 70%
4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
- 70%
13 He must marry a woman who is a virgin.