Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Jack Kilmon" <jkilmon AT historian.net>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher V. Kimball" <kimball AT ntplx.net>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2004 6:24 PM
Subject: [b-hebrew] Halitzah - Levirate marriage


>
> Where does the term "levirate" come from in describing the marriage of a
> widow to her brother-in-law?  None of the Hebrew words seem to lead to
> "levir" or "levirate".
>
> I'm assuming there's no relationship between "levir" and the tribe of
Levy.
>
> Chris Kimball


Actually, levir (LAYweer) is Latin for "husband's brother."

Jack