Reference: Widow
American
A custom was prevalent in patriarchal times, Ge 38, and was afterwards confirmed by the Mosaic law, De 25:5-10, that a widow without children, in order to preserve the family name and inheritance, should marry the brother of her deceased husband; or he failing his nearest kinsman, Ru 3:12-13; 4:1-11; Mt 22:23-30. The high-priest was forbidden to marry a widow, Le 21:14. The humanity and justice of true religion are shown in the Bible, as might be expected, by numerous indications that God and the friends of God sympathize with the sorrows, supply the wants, and defend the rights of the widow, Ex 22:22-24; De 16:11; 24:17,19; Ps 68:5; Isa 1:17; 10:2; Jer 22:3; Mt 23:14. The apostolic church was not negligent in providing for widows, Ac 6:1-3; 1Ti 5:16; and James makes this duty an essential part of true piety, Jas 1:27. Heathenism, on the contrary, makes those who have been slaves to a husband's caprices during his life, either victims upon the funeral pile at his death, or forlorn and hopeless sufferers under destitution and contempt. The duties of Christian widows are specified in 1Ti 5:3-16.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do, I, Jehovah, will answer them when they cry out to me for help, read more. and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.
He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, a woman who has lost her virginity, or a prostitute. He may only marry a virgin from his own people.
Enjoy yourselves in the presence of Jehovah your God along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites who live in your cities, the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you. Enjoy yourselves at the place Jehovah your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.
Do not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan. Do not take a widow's garment in pledge.
When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that Jehovah your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
When brothers live together and one of them dies without a son the wife of the deceased shall not marry outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall marry her and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. The firstborn son she bears will assume the name of the dead brother. That way his name will not be blotted out from Israel. read more. If the man does not desire to take his brother's wife, his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say: My husband's brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to me. The elders of his city must summon him and speak to him. If he persists and says: I do not desire to take her, his brother's wife shall must to him in the sight of the elders. She will pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. Then she will declare: It is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house. His name in Israel will be: 'The house of him whose sandal is removed.'
It is true that I am a close relative, but there is a relation nearer than I. Rest here tonight. In the morning, if he wants to redeem you, for it is right for a relation to do this, very well, let him do so. But if he will not, then as surely as Jehovah lives, I will do so.
Boaz went to the public place in the town and sat down. When the kinsman-redeemer came along, the one he had mentioned, Boaz said: Come here, and sit down. He came and was seated. Then he got ten of the responsible men of the town, and said: Be seated here. And they took their seats. read more. Then Boaz said to the close relative: Naomi has come back from the country of Moab. She is offering for a price that bit of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. I am giving you a chance to take it with the approval of those seated here, the responsible men of my people. If you are ready to do what it is right for a relative to do, then do it. If you will not do it, say so to me now. There is no one who has the right to do it but you, and after you, myself. And he said: I will do it. Then Boaz said: On the day when you take this field, you will have to take with it Ruth, the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, so that you may keep the name of the dead living in his heritage. The near relative said: I am not able to redeem it for myself, for fear of damaging the heritage I have. You may do it in my place, for I am not able to do it myself. It was the custom for the seller to take off his sandal and give to the buyer to settle a sale or exchange of property. By doing this, Israelites showed that the matter was settled. So when the man said to Boaz: You buy it, he took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz. Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the others there: You are all witnesses today that I have bought from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and to his sons Chilion and Mahlon. In addition, Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, becomes my wife. This will keep the property in the dead man's family, and his family line will continue among his people in his hometown. Today you are witnesses to this. The leaders and the others said: Yes, we are witnesses. May Jehovah make your wife become like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob. May you become rich in the clan of Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
In his holy habitation God is a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows.
Learn to do good (well) (right). Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.
They deprive the poor of justice. They take away the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and rob orphans.
This is what Jehovah says: Judge fairly, and do what is right. Rescue those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, or widows, and do not oppress them. Do not kill innocent people in this place.
That same day, Sadducees came to him. They believe there is no resurrection. They asked him a question. Teacher, Moses said if a man dies having no children, his brother should marry his wife, and bring up seed for his brother. read more. There were seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no children, left his wife to his brother. The same happened to the second, right on through the seventh. After that the woman died. In the resurrection, with which of the seven will she be married? All seven had her. Jesus answered: You are mistaken! You do not know the scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection they will not marry nor be given in marriage. They will be like the angels in heaven.
[Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.]
The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve called the congregation of the disciples to them. They said: It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God and serve tables. read more. Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business.
Honor widows that are truly widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show righteousness towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. read more. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers day and night. But she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. Command these things that they may be without reproach. If any do not provide for his own, and specially his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Refuse younger widows: for when their sexual impulses come between them and Christ, they desire to marry. They have judgment, because they have rejected their first pledge. They also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but gossipers and busybodies, speaking things that they should not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. Some have already turned aside after Satan. If any woman that believes has dependant widows, she must assist them and not let the congregation be burdened. Then it can assist those who are actually widows.
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for the fatherless persons and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.
Fausets
Cared for specially by the law, in the triennial tithes, etc. De 19:21; 24:17; 26:12; 27:19; Ex 22:22; Job 24:3; 29:13; Isa 1:17; Mt 23:14. God is "judge of the widows" (Ps 68:5; 146:9), therefore, the judge or righteous vindicator of His church, and of Israel especially (Isaiah 54), widowed by His physical absence, against her adversary Satan (Lu 18:1-7). For pious widows, see Anna, and the one who gave her all to the Lord's treasury (Lu 2:36-37; 20:47; 21:1-4). (See ANNA.) Three classes of widows are distinguished in 1 Timothy 5
(1) The ordinary widow.
(2) The widow indeed, i.e. destitute, and therefore to be relieved by the church, not having younger relatives, whose duty it is to relieve them (let them, the children or descendants, learn first, before calling the church to support them; to show reverent dutifulness toward their own elder destitute female relatives).
(3) The presbyteral widow (1Ti 5:9-11). Let none be enrolled as a presbyteral widow who is less than 60 years old. Not deaconesses, who were chosen at a younger age (40 was fixed as the limit at the council of Chalcedon) and who had virgins (latterly called widows) as well as widows among them, compare Dorcas (Ac 9:41). As expediency required presbyters to be but once married (1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6), so also presbyteresses. (The feeling among Jews and Gentiles being against second marriages, the desire for conciliation in matters indifferent, where no principle was compromised, accounts for this rule in the case of bishops, deacons, and presbyteresses, whose aim was to be all things to all men that by all means they might save some: 1Co 9:22; 10:33.) The reference in 1Ti 5:9 cannot, as in 1Ti 5:3, be to providing church maintenance, for then the restriction to widows above 60 would be harsh, as many might need help at an earlier age.
So the rules that she should not have been twice married, and that she must have brought up children and lodged strangers, would be strange, if the reference were to eligibility for church alms. Tertullian ("De velandis Virginibus," 9), Hermas (Shepherd 1:2), and Chrysostom (Horn. 31) mention an order of ecclesiastical widows, not less than 60 years old, who ministered to widows and orphans. Their experimental knowledge of the trials of the bereaved adapted them for such an office and for general supervision of their sex. Age was a requisite, as in presbyters, to adapt them for influencing younger women; they were supported by the church, but were not the only widows so supported (1Ti 5:3-4).
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Do not mistreat any widow or orphan.
Have no pity on him: Take a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.
Do not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan. Do not take a widow's garment in pledge.
Finish paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing. Then you shall give it to the Levite, the stranger, and the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
Cursed is he who withholds justice due an alien, orphan, and widow. The people all say: Amen.
They drive away the donkey of the orphan. They take the widow's ox for a pledge.
The blessing of the wretched came upon me. I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
In his holy habitation God is a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows.
Jehovah protects the strangers. He supports the fatherless and the widow, but he overthrows the way of the wicked.
Learn to do good (well) (right). Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.
[Verse not found in oldest manuscripts.]
Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was a very old prophetess. She had been a widow eighty-four years. She never left the temple. She worshipped and fasted with supplications day and night.
He spoke an illustration to them emphasizing the need to pray and not become tired: There was a judge in a city that did not fear God and had no respect for man. read more. There was a widow in that same city. She went to him asking for legal protection from her adversary. At first he refused. Then he thought about it and he said to himself, I do not fear God and have little respect for man. However this widow bothers me. For this reason I will avenge her. If she keeps coming to me she will wear me out. The Lord continued: Pay attention to what the unrighteous judge said. Should God avenge his chosen that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?
They devour widows' houses. They offer long prayers to show off in front of others. They shall receive great condemnation.
He saw rich men putting their gifts into the treasury. Then he saw a poor widow putting in two small coins. read more. I tell you a truth, he said: This poor widow gave more than all of them. They all gave out of their surplus but she gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she had for living expenses.
He gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then he called the holy ones and widows and presented her alive.
To the weak I became as the weak, that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach;
Honor widows that are truly widows.
Honor widows that are truly widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show righteousness towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. read more. Refuse younger widows: for when their sexual impulses come between them and Christ, they desire to marry.
A blameless man will be the husband of one wife. He will have children that believe and who are not accused of violence and disobedience.
Hastings
Widows from their poverty and unprotectedness, are regarded in OT as under the special guardianship of God (Ps 68:6; 146:9; Pr 15:25; De 10:18; Jer 49:11); and consequently due regard for their wants was looked upon as a mark of true religion, ensuring a blessing on those who showed it (Job 29:13; 31:16; Isa 1:17; Jer 7:6-7; 22:3-4); while neglect of, cruelty or injustice towards them were considered marks of wickedness meriting punishment from God (Job 22:9-10; 24:20-21; Ps 94:6; Isa 1:23; 10:2; Zec 7:10,14; Mal 3:5). The Book of Deut. is especially rich in such counsels, insisting that widows be granted full justice (De 24:17; 27:19), that they be received as guests at sacrificial meals (De 14:29; 16:11,14; 26:12 f.), and that they be suffered to glean unmolested in field, oliveyard, and vineyard (De 24:19 f.). See, further, Inheritance, i. 2 (c); Marriage, 6.
The earliest mention of widows in the history of the Christian Church is found in Ac 6:1, where the Grecian Jews murmured 'against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected' in the daily distribution of alms or food. In course of time these pensioners became an excessive burden on the finances of the Church. We thus find St. Paul dealing with the matter in 1Ti 5:3-16, where he charges relatives and Christian friends to relieve those widows with whom they are personally connected (1Ti 5:4,8,15), so that the Church might be the more able to relieve those who were 'widows indeed' (i.e. widows in actual poverty and without anyone responsible for their support) (5/3/type/nsb'>1Ti 5:3,5,16). He further directs that 'none be enrolled as widows' except those who were sixty years of age, of unimpeachable character, and full of good works; and he adds that 'the younger widows' should be 'refused' (i.e. not enrolled); for experience had shown that they 'waxed wanton against Christ' and, re-marrying, 'rejected their first faith.' Since it could not have been the Apostle's wish that only widows over sixty should receive pecuniary help from the Church (for many young widows might be in great poverty), and since he could not describe the re-marriage of such a widow-pensioner as a rejection of her faith, it follows that the list of widows, from which the younger widows were to be excluded, was not the list of those who were in receipt of Church relief, but rather a list of those, from among the pensioner-widows, who were considered suitable by age and character to engage officially in Church work. Therefore we may see in this passage a proof of the existence thus early in the history of the Church of that ecclesiastical order of 'Widows' which we find mentioned frequently in post-Apostolic times.
Charles T. P. Grierson.
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He executes justice for the orphan and the widow. He shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
This food is for the Levites, since they own no property, and for the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. They are to come and get all they need. Do this, and Jehovah your God will bless you in everything you do.
Enjoy yourselves in the presence of Jehovah your God along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites who live in your cities, the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you. Enjoy yourselves at the place Jehovah your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.
Enjoy yourselves at the festival along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities.
Do not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan. Do not take a widow's garment in pledge.
When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that Jehovah your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Finish paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing. Then you shall give it to the Levite, the stranger, and the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
Cursed is he who withholds justice due an alien, orphan, and widow. The people all say: Amen.
You have sent widows away empty-handed. You crush the arms of the orphans. Therefore snares are around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you!
The womb forgets them. The worm finds them sweet. They are no longer remembered. Wickedness is broken like a tree. They harm the childless woman, and do no good to the widow.
The blessing of the wretched came upon me. I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
God sets the lonely in families. He frees the prisoners who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
They kill widows and foreigners, and they murder orphans.
Jehovah protects the strangers. He supports the fatherless and the widow, but he overthrows the way of the wicked.
Jehovah will destroy the house of the proud and he will establish the border of the widow.
Learn to do good (well) (right). Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.
Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves. They all love bribes and run after gifts. They never defend orphans. They do not listen to the widows' pleas.
They deprive the poor of justice. They take away the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and rob orphans.
if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers from generation to generation and for a very long time.'
This is what Jehovah says: Judge fairly, and do what is right. Rescue those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, or widows, and do not oppress them. Do not kill innocent people in this place. If you do what I say, then the kings who sit on David's throne will ride through the gates of this palace in chariots and on horses along with their officials and their people.'
Abandon your orphans, and I will keep them alive. Your widows can trust me.
Do not oppress the widow. Do not oppress the fatherless. Do not oppress the stranger and do not oppress the poor. And you should not devise evil in your heart against your brother.
I will scatter them with a whirlwind among the nations that they have not known. Thus the land was desolate after them, so that no man passed through nor returned. They tread down the pleasant land and made it desolate.'
I will approach you people for judgment! I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers and those acting fraudulently with the wages of the worker, the widow and the fatherless. I will be a speedy witness against those who swear falsely and take advantage of the stranger, and do not show me reverence, said Jehovah of Hosts.
The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Honor widows that are truly widows.
Honor widows that are truly widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show righteousness towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show righteousness towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers day and night.
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers day and night. But she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. read more. Command these things that they may be without reproach. If any do not provide for his own, and specially his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
If any do not provide for his own, and specially his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, read more. having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Refuse younger widows: for when their sexual impulses come between them and Christ, they desire to marry. They have judgment, because they have rejected their first pledge. They also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but gossipers and busybodies, speaking things that they should not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. Some have already turned aside after Satan.
Some have already turned aside after Satan. If any woman that believes has dependant widows, she must assist them and not let the congregation be burdened. Then it can assist those who are actually widows.
If any woman that believes has dependant widows, she must assist them and not let the congregation be burdened. Then it can assist those who are actually widows.
Smith
Widow.
Under the Mosaic dispensation no legal provision was made for the maintenance of widows. They were left dependent partly on the affection of relations, more especially of the eldest son, whose birthright, or extra share of the property, imposed such a duty upon him, and partly on the privileges accorded to other distressed classes, such as a participation in the triennial third tithe,
De 14:29; 26:12
in leasing,
De 24:19-21
and in religious feasts.
De 16:11,14
With regard to the remarriage of widows, the only restriction imposed by the Mosaic law had reference to the contingency of one being left childless in which case the brother of the deceased husband had a right to marry the widow.
De 25:5-6; Mt 22:23-30
In the apostolic Church the widows were sustained at the public expense, the relief being daily administered in kind, under the superintendence of officers appointed for this special purpose,
Particular directions are given by St.Paul as to the class of persons entitled to such public maintenance.
Out of the body of such widows a certain number were to be enrolled, the qualifications for such enrollment being that they were not under sixty years of age; that they had been "the wife of one man," probably meaning but once married; and that they had led useful and charitable lives. vs.
We are not disposed to identify the widows of the Bible either with the deaconesses or with the presbutides Of the early Church. The order of widows existed as a separate institution, contemporaneously with these offices, apparently for the same eleemosynary purpose for which it was originally instituted.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
This food is for the Levites, since they own no property, and for the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. They are to come and get all they need. Do this, and Jehovah your God will bless you in everything you do.
Enjoy yourselves in the presence of Jehovah your God along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites who live in your cities, the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live among you. Enjoy yourselves at the place Jehovah your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.
Enjoy yourselves at the festival along with your sons, daughters, male and female slaves, the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your cities.
When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that Jehovah your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again. It shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. read more. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again. It shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.
When brothers live together and one of them dies without a son the wife of the deceased shall not marry outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall marry her and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. The firstborn son she bears will assume the name of the dead brother. That way his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
Finish paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing. Then you shall give it to the Levite, the stranger, and the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
That same day, Sadducees came to him. They believe there is no resurrection. They asked him a question. Teacher, Moses said if a man dies having no children, his brother should marry his wife, and bring up seed for his brother. read more. There were seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no children, left his wife to his brother. The same happened to the second, right on through the seventh. After that the woman died. In the resurrection, with which of the seven will she be married? All seven had her. Jesus answered: You are mistaken! You do not know the scriptures or the power of God. In the resurrection they will not marry nor be given in marriage. They will be like the angels in heaven.
The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. The twelve called the congregation of the disciples to them. They said: It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God and serve tables. read more. Therefore brothers select seven men who have a good reputation. Men who are full of spirit and wisdom that we may appoint to take care of this business. We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. The idea pleased the whole congregation. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles. After they prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Honor widows that are truly widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show righteousness towards their own family, and to repay their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. read more. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in supplications and prayers day and night. But she that gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. Command these things that they may be without reproach. If any do not provide for his own, and specially his own household, he denies the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
Let a widow be put on the list if she is under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
having a good reputation for good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Refuse younger widows: for when their sexual impulses come between them and Christ, they desire to marry. read more. They have judgment, because they have rejected their first pledge. They also learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but gossipers and busybodies, speaking things that they should not. I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. Some have already turned aside after Satan. If any woman that believes has dependant widows, she must assist them and not let the congregation be burdened. Then it can assist those who are actually widows.
Watsons
WIDOW. Among the Hebrews, even before the law, a widow who had no children by her husband was to marry the brother of her deceased spouse, in order to raise up children who might inherit, his goods and perpetuate his name and family. We find the practice of this custom before the law in the person of Tamar, who married successively Er and Onan, the sons of Judah, and who was likewise to have married Selah, the third son of this patriarch, after the two former were dead without issue, Ge 38:6-11. The law that appoints these marriages is De 25:5, &c. Two motives prevailed to the enacting of this law. The first was, the continuation of estates in the same family: and the other was to perpetuate a man's name in Israel. It was looked upon as a great misfortune for a man to die without an heir, or to see his inheritance pass into another family. This law was not confined to brothers-in-law only, but was extended to more distant relations of the same kind; as we see in the example of Ruth, who married Boaz after she had been refused by a nearer kinsman. See SANDALS.
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For his first son Er, Judah got a wife whose name was Tamar. Er was an evil man. It displeased Jehovah. So Jehovah killed him. read more. Then Judah said to Er's brother Onan: Go sleep with your brother's widow. Fulfill your obligation to her as her husband's brother. That way your brother may have descendants. Onan knew that the children would not belong to him. So when he had intercourse with his brother's widow, he let the semen spill on the ground, assuring that there would be no children for his brother. What he did displeased Jehovah. So Jehovah killed him also. Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar: Return to your father's house and remain a widow until my son Shelah grows up. He said this because he was afraid that Shelah would be killed, as his brothers had been. So Tamar went back home.
When brothers live together and one of them dies without a son the wife of the deceased shall not marry outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall marry her and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.