Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Hvis brødre bor sammen og en av dem dør uten å ha noen sønn, skal ikke enken etter den døde mannen bli overlatt til en fremmed mann utenfra. Broren til ektemannen hennes skal gå inn til henne, ta henne til kone og gjøre sin plikt som svoger. Dette skal skje: Den sønnen hun får først, skal få navnet til hans døde bror, så navnet hans ikke blir borte. Men dersom mannen ikke har lyst til å gifte seg med sin svigerinne, skal hun gå til de eldste og si: ‘Min svoger nekter å føre sin brors navn videre i Israel. Han vil ikke gjøre sin plikt som svoger.’ Da skal de eldste i byen kalle ham til seg og snakke til ham. Hvis han da står fast på sitt og sier: ‘Jeg har ikke lyst til å gifte meg med henne’, skal hans svigerinne komme fram til ham i nærvær av de eldste, ta sandalen av foten hans, spytte ham i ansiktet, svare og si: ‘Slik skal det gjøres med den mann som ikke vil sørge for at navnet til broren hans får leve videre.’ I Israel fikk slike menns hjem kallenavnet Barfothuset – han hadde jo blitt fratatt en sko.
What Does This Mean?
This verse talks about what happens when a married man dies without children. His brother is supposed to marry the widow and continue the family line. This is a law from ancient Israel, given by Moses.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend's dad passed away and your friend didn't have any brothers. In ancient times, your friend's dad's brother would marry your friend's mom to keep the family together, like when you share your toys to keep the family of friends happy.
Historical Background
This law was given by Moses around 1200 BCE to the Israelites. It was meant to ensure the family name and inheritance would continue, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Living It Out Today
Today, this might apply to understanding family obligations and the importance of family continuity in cultures that value lineage and inheritance. It can also remind us of the importance of family support in times of loss.
This law ensures the widow is cared for and provides a way for the family name to continue through the offspring of the marriage with her brother-in-law.
Is this law still practiced today?
No, this practice is not common today. Modern laws and cultural norms have changed significantly since ancient times.
How does this relate to the story of Ruth?
The story of Ruth involves a similar situation where Boaz, as a relative, marries Ruth to continue the family line of her deceased husband, aligning with the law in Deuteronomy.
What does this teach us about family responsibility?
It teaches us about the importance of family responsibility and the duty to support family members in times of need, reflecting values of care and continuity.