The law of Levirate marriage, outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, was given by God specifically to Israel. Since Israelites were forbidden to marry those outside the nation of Israel (exogamous marriage), God instituted this means of extending the nation of Israel into future generations. When a man died childless, the deceased man’s brother was obligated to take the widow as his wife and give her children in his dead brother’s name. This Levirate marriage would occur in addition to any wife or wives he may already have. The firstborn son if this union was to take the deceased man’s name, which would continue his family line.
In some form, this practice still occurs in many places in the world, particularly among clan societies. But not in the West. It is likely that the students reading this, particularly the females, would feel uncomfortable about participating in such an arrangement.
As you meditate on this week’s passage and discussion:
- Focus on social structure, particularly kinship, marriage, and religion. As you think about the above example marriage within a particular social structure, think about your own social structure.
- How do marriages represent a particular social structure in your culture?
- What is the purpose of marriage in your culture?
- In 2-3 paragraphs, describe a marriage in your culture.
- You may use details from your own marriage, your hoped-for marriage, someone else’s marriage, or simply provide your own understanding of marriage.
- Idea starters:
- What is your culture’s societal purpose for marriage?
- What are your culture’s ideals for marriage?
- What are your culture’s obligations for marriage?
- Is marriage religious, civil, both, or neither?
- What if a marriage is childless?
- What if a marriage seems unfulfilling?
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