look up Genesis 38 and especially Deuteronomy 25:5–10. In Old Testament times it was vital that a man’s family name was preserved. Accordingly, if he died without an heir, steps were to be taken to ensure that he had an heir who could carry his name (and inherit his property). Thus it was customary, and required by God’s law, that the widow of a dead man be married to one of her husband’s relatives. The first son of such a marriage would then be the dead man’s heir. Elimelech had died heirless; or