Deuteronomy 25:6

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֗ה H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַבְּכוֹר֙ And it shall be that the firstborn H1060
הַבְּכוֹר֙ And it shall be that the firstborn
Strong's: H1060
Word #: 2 of 13
first-born; hence, chief
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תֵּלֵ֔ד which she beareth H3205
תֵּלֵ֔ד which she beareth
Strong's: H3205
Word #: 4 of 13
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
יָק֕וּם shall succeed H6965
יָק֕וּם shall succeed
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 5 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׁמ֖וֹ in the name H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ in the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 7 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אָחִ֖יו of his brother H251
אָחִ֖יו of his brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 8 of 13
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַמֵּ֑ת which is dead H4191
הַמֵּ֑ת which is dead
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 9 of 13
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמָּחֶ֥ה be not put out H4229
יִמָּחֶ֥ה be not put out
Strong's: H4229
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
שְׁמ֖וֹ in the name H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ in the name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 12 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 13 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead—the Hebrew yaqum al-shem achiv hamet (יָקוּם עַל־שֵׁם אָחִיו הַמֵּת) means 'shall rise up/stand upon the name of his dead brother.' The firstborn son legally became the deceased's son, inheriting his property rights and continuing his genealogical line. That his name be not put out of Israel—preventing the extinction of the family line, which was considered calamitous in Israelite culture.

The concern for perpetuating names reflects the Old Testament understanding that one's legacy lived through descendants. Being 'cut off' or childless meant obliteration from the covenant community's ongoing story. This makes Christ's voluntary acceptance of death 'without descendants' (Isaiah 53:8) particularly poignant—He died childless that we might become children of God. The levirate system ensured every Israelite had opportunity for memorial through progeny.

Historical Context

Delivered circa 1406 BC before the land distribution that would make inheritance rights tangible. In Israel's tribal system, land was inalienable family property, passed through male heirs (Numbers 27 made exceptions for daughters when no sons existed). A man dying childless meant his land allotment would be lost to the clan. Levirate marriage prevented this fragmentation, keeping tribal territories intact across generations.

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