Deuteronomy 25:9
7 But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.”
8 Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,”
his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.”
10 And his family name in Israel will be called “The House of the Unsandaled.”
11 If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.”
- KJV
- Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.
- WEB
- then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his sandal from off his foot, and spit in his face. She shall answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.”
- ASV
- then shall his brother`s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face; and she shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto the man that doth not build up his brother`s house.
- DARBY
- then shall his brother's wife come near to him before the eyes of the elders, and draw his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto the man that will not build up his brother's house.
- BLB
- his brother’s widow shall come to him before the eyes of the elders, and remove his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face, and answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who will not build up the house of his brother.”
- ÅB
- da skal hans brors hustru trede fram til ham for de eldstes øyne og dra skoen av hans fot og spytte ham i ansiktet, og hun skal ta til orde og si: Slik skal det gjøres med den mann som ikke vil bygge opp igjen sin brors hus.
- OTB
- skal hans brors enke nærme seg ham i de eldstes nærvær, ta av hans sandal, spytte ham i ansiktet, og si: "Dette er hva som gjøres med mannen som ikke vil bygge opp sin brors slektslinje."
- B1930
- da skal hans brors hustru trede frem til ham for de eldstes øine og dra skoen av hans fot og spytte ham i ansiktet, og hun skal ta til orde og si: Således skal det gjøres med den mann som ikke vil bygge op igjen sin brors hus.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ruth 4:7–8
Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
Read in contextNumbers 12:14
But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.”
Read in contextIsaiah 20:2
the LORD had already spoken through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, “Go, remove the sackcloth from your waist and the sandals from your feet.” And Isaiah did so, walking around naked and barefoot.
Read in contextIsaiah 50:6
I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
Read in contextMark 10:34
who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again.”
Read in contextGenesis 38:8–10
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”
Read in contextJohn 1:27
He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Read in contextRuth 4:10–11
Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”
Read in context