Levirate Marriage and the Family[ ]A culture’s approach to levirate may change over time. Attitudes to-
ward and willingness to engage in levirate unions may be influenced
by a number of factors. The introduction of a new religion may bring
with it new marriage practices.^59 The decline of polygyny can have an
impact on the practice of levirate. A shift in the community’s construc-
tion of marriage and sexuality may lead to a rejection of remarriage or
new sexual unions following the death of a spouse. Changes in the eco-
nomic status of women may affect the need for levirate in communities
in which levirate previously provided for the needs of widows. A woman
who can inherit property may not need the support of a levir or of sons. A
t ra nsit ion f rom a n economy based on simple ag ricu lture to a cash econ-
omy may allow women to support themselves and their minor children
without land rights previously restricted to men.
As we consider levirate in biblical Israel and ancient Judaism, we
should keep in mind the complexities of levirate. To understand levirate,
we need to pay close attention to the role it plays in a marriage and kin-
ship system. While every society may approach levirate differently and
use it to achieve different goals, the information we have about other
groups’ practice of levirate may shed light on ancient Jewish law and
custom.