Levirate

Levirate describes a customary practice found in several ancient Near Eastern societies where a surviving brother assumes responsibility for marrying the widow of his deceased brother. This arrangement aims to maintain family continuity, protect property within the lineage, and provide social and economic stability for the widow. In biblical literature, the practice is linked to inheritance, name preservation, and communal obligation rather than personal choice. Levirate functions as a structured response to death within a household, reinforcing kinship duties and collective responsibility.