Deuteronomy 25:6

Verse

The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

And it shall be, that the first-born that she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother that is dead, that his name be not blotted out of Israel.

Bible in Basic English

Then the first male child she has will take the rights of the brother who is dead, so that his name may not come to an end in Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And the first son he shall have of her he shall call by his name, that his name be not abolished out of Israel.

Free Bible Version

The first son she has will be named after the dead brother, so that his name won't be forgotten in Israel.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the first borne which she beareth, shall succeede in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

One Unity Resource Bible

It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel [God prevails].

Translation for Translators

If she later gives birth to a son, that son is to be considered [MTY] the son of the man who died, in order that the dead man’s name will not disappear from Israel.

Unlocked Literal Bible

This is so that the firstborn that she bears will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother, so that his name will not perish from Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

And it shall be, that the first-born which she beareth, shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name may not become extinct in Israel.

World English Bible

It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation

and it hath been, the first-born which she beareth doth rise for the name of his dead brother, and his name is not wiped away out of Israel.

Context

Widowhood and Marriage

⁵When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.⁶The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

Summary

This verse outlines the practice of levirate marriage, where if a man dies without having a son, his brother is to marry the widow to ensure the deceased man's name and inheritance continue. This custom was significant in preserving family lineage and property rights in ancient Israel. It reflects the importance of honoring family ties and ensuring the welfare of widows within the community. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of God's concern for justice and provision for those in vulnerable positions, such as widows.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And it shall be that the firstborn that she beareth,.... To her husband's brother, now married to her: shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead; the meaning is, as the Targum of Jonathan,"he shall rise up in the inheritance in the name of his brother;''or, as Jarchi expresses it,"he shall take the inheritance of the deceased in the goods of his father;''that is, he shall have his part and share in the inheritance that the deceased brother would have had if he had lived, which would come to him by his father: that his name be not put out of Israel; that the family be not lost in Israel, and the inheritance belonging to it pass to another. This law was designed to keep families distinct, and inheritances in them, until the Messiah came, and that it might appear from what family he came; as he did from one in whom, as it is generally thought, this law took place: and it might have still a more special respect to him, as Ainsworth suggests; for Christ in the mystical sense may be signified by the deceased brother; he stands in the relation of a brother to his people, and has all the love, friendship, compassion, and condescension of one; he and they are of one and the same father, of the same family, and of the same nature, and have the same inheritance they being co-heirs with him; nor is he ashamed to own the relation. This brother of theirs is deceased; his death was according to the will of God, what he himself agreed to, and was foretold by the prophets; for which purpose he came into the world, and did die as to the flesh, and that for the sins of his people. Now the Jewish church was his wife, by whom he had no children through the law; that church was espoused to him, he stood in the relation of an husband to her, and she in the relation of a wife to him. Very few children were brought forth by her to him, see, Isa 54:1; and none by the law, by which there is no regeneration, but by the Gospel; it is through that, and not the law, the Spirit and his graces come; or souls are born again to Christ, renewed and sanctified. The apostles that survived Christ, and the ministers of the Gospel, are his brethren, Joh 20:17; and who are instruments in begetting souls to Christ; and these are a seed raised up unto him, and are called not after the name of the apostles and ministers of the word, through whose ministry they are begotten, Co1 1:12; but after Christ; and have the name of Christians, or anointed ones, from him, and by which means his name is, and will be continued as long as the sun endures, Act 11:26.