"This book offers a fresh perspective on the importance of progeny and perpetuation of the family line in the Hebrew tradition. Stephen Mathias argues that the Hebrew Bible depicts failing to protect the transmission of the family line as both a failure in the social order, a threat to the afterlife, and a failure in masculinity, leading to the eradication of the name and memory of the man and the destruction of the household. Mathias reassess pertinent texts such as levirate marriage (Deut 22:5-10) or the erection of monuments (Isa 56:5-8)"--Provided by publisher.