ἐπιγαμβρεύω
epigambreúō
G1918 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
to enter into a marital relationship with, especially by marrying a relative by affinity, most often used with the sense of levirate marriage (marrying the widow of a deceased brother or close relative to maintain the family line); also, more generally, to become allied by marriage.
Semantic Range
to marry a relative by law or affinity, to enter levirate marriage, to contract a marriage creating obligation, to take as wife under familial duty
Root / Etymology
From ἐπί (epi, 'upon' or 'in addition') and a verb derived from γάμος (gamos, 'marriage, wedding'); the verb thus means 'to marry additionally' or 'to assume marriage with additional obligations'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Greek literature and especially in the Septuagint and later Jewish Greek writings, ἐπιγαμβρεύω appears in legal and genealogical contexts for marriages that create familial alliances—most notably for levirate marriage practices (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10 LXX, Ruth 4:10). The term does not generally refer to a first marriage but to the act of marrying a relative of one's deceased spouse, or more broadly, entering into marriage that carries communal or legal obligations to preserve family inheritance or lineage. In Hellenistic Greek, it can refer to any marriage between relatives by affinity, not necessarily limited to the brother-in-law context but also involving other kinship ties created by marriage. English translations often render the term as 'to marry' or 'to take as wife,' but the Greek commonly emphasizes the legal or social obligation, especially where inheritance or family duty is concerned. The term is rare outside Jewish-Greek contexts, reflecting the importance of levirate customs among Israelite and later Judean communities. Compare with γαμέω (to marry), which refers generally to the act of marriage without necessarily involving familial obligation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and a derivative of γάμος; to form affinity with, i.e. (specially) in a levirate way:--marry.
Root Family
γαμβρ- (epigambreúō) — to marry by affinity, to become related by marriage, to perform levirate marriage
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1918-01 |
ἐπιγαμβρεύσει | epigambreusei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall marry | he will enter levirate marriage | he will enter levirate marriage | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1918-01 |
Matthew 22:24 | ἐπιγαμβρεύσει | epigambreusei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
shall marry | he will enter levirate marriage | he will enter levirate marriage |