Luke 20:29
Arabic GOV (الكتاب المقدس العهد الجديد، النسخة الارثوذكسية القدس)
وَكَانَ سَبْعَةُ إِخْوَةٍ، فَأَخَذَ أَوَّلُهُمُ امْرَأَةً وَمَاتَ دُونَ وَلَدٍ،
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a situation where seven brothers each took the same wife as part of a custom to ensure lineage continuity, but the first brother died without having any children. The speaker is not explicitly mentioned; this is part of a larger narrative.
Explained for Children
Imagine you and your six brothers have one special toy that needs to be passed down in your family. The first brother who tried to play with it couldn't keep it going because he didn't share the toy with anyone else before he left home forever.
Historical Background
This verse is part of Luke's Gospel, written around 80 AD by a Greek physician and historian for a gentile audience. It reflects Jewish customs regarding inheritance and marriage in first-century Palestine.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this can be seen as a reminder about family continuity and the importance of leaving behind a legacy or future for others to continue. For instance, consider how you might want your work or values to live on after you're gone.
Topics
inheritancemarriage customsfamily continuityJewish lawlegacycustoms of the first century
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is levirate marriage?
Levirate marriage refers to a custom where if a married man dies without children, his brother or closest male relative would marry the widow to continue the deceased's lineage.
Why was it important for someone to have children in biblical times?
In ancient Jewish culture, having children ensured that family lines and inheritances continued. It was seen as fulfilling a commandment from God and maintaining one’s name and property.
How does this relate to inheritance laws?
This custom directly relates to inheritance as it aimed to keep the deceased's lineage alive, ensuring that family properties and names did not disappear with their death.
Is levirate marriage practiced today?
Levirate marriage is no longer a common practice in most modern societies. However, some cultures still have similar customs related to inheritance or family continuity after the death of a spouse.