Deuteronomy 25:11

KJV

When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

KJV (with Strong's)

When men {H582} strive {H5327} together {H3162} one with another {H251}{H376}, and the wife {H802} of the one {H259} draweth near {H7126} for to deliver {H5337} her husband {H376} out of the hand {H3027} of him that smiteth {H5221} him, and putteth forth {H7971} her hand {H3027}, and taketh {H2388} him by the secrets {H4016}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If men are fighting with each other, and the wife of one comes up to help her husband get away from the man attacking him by grabbing the attacker's private parts with her hand,

Berean Standard Bible

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,

American Standard Version

When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 25:11 presents a highly specific and graphic legal case within the Mosaic Law, addressing an extreme act committed by a wife intervening in a physical altercation between two men. This statute highlights the importance of public decency, the protection of individual dignity, and the establishment of clear boundaries for behavior, even in moments of intense conflict, underscoring God's concern for order and propriety within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Deuteronomy (chapters [Deuteronomy 22](/deuteronomy/22 "Deuteronomy 22 - Laws on Purity and Property")-[Deuteronomy 25](/deuteronomy/25 "Deuteronomy 25 - Various Laws")) that outlines a diverse collection of civil, social, and ethical laws for the Israelite nation. These laws cover a wide spectrum of daily life, from property rights and sexual purity to fair weights and measures, reflecting God's comprehensive desire for a just, orderly, and morally upright society. Specifically, [Deuteronomy 25:11](/deuteronomy/25-11 "Deuteronomy 25:11 - The Law of the Aggressive Woman") appears in a series of miscellaneous laws concerning legal disputes and proper conduct, immediately preceding the infamous law regarding the punishment for this act in [Deuteronomy 25:12](/deuteronomy/25-12 "Deuteronomy 25:12 - The Consequence of the Act"). The immediate literary context is one of establishing boundaries for acceptable behavior, even in the heat of passion or conflict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, physical altercations were not uncommon, but there were societal expectations regarding decorum and the protection of individual honor and dignity. The male genitals were intrinsically linked to a man's honor, his ability to procreate, and thus the continuation of his family line—a matter of supreme importance in a patriarchal, lineage-focused culture. An assault on this area was not merely a physical injury but a profound humiliation and a potential threat to his future and legacy. Such an act was considered deeply indecent and shameful, violating both personal bodily integrity and public propriety. The law reflects a concern for preventing acts that would lead to public degradation and ensuring that even in the chaos of a fight, certain lines of decency and respect for the human body were not crossed.
* **Key Themes:** This law contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Justice and Order** within the community, demonstrating God's meticulous concern for maintaining a civil and respectful society where even personal disputes are governed by divine standards. It also highlights the theme of **Bodily Integrity and Dignity**, emphasizing that the human body, created in God's image, is to be treated with respect, and certain acts are considered profoundly defiling or humiliating. Furthermore, it speaks to the theme of **Limits of Intervention and Responsibility**, teaching that while loyalty (like a wife defending her husband) is valued, there are ethical and legal boundaries to how one may act, even in defense. The severity of the implied consequence in [Deuteronomy 25:12](/deuteronomy/25-12 "Deuteronomy 25:12 - The Severe Consequence") reinforces the gravity of violating these boundaries, particularly concerning sexual modesty and the sanctity of procreative organs, which are also protected in laws like those found in [Exodus 21:22-25](/exodus/21-22 "Exodus 21:22-25 - Laws Regarding Injury to a Pregnant Woman").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **secrets (Hebrew, _mevushayha'_):** The KJV phrase "taketh him by the secrets" translates the Hebrew word מְבֻשֶׁיהָ ( _mevushayha'_), which literally means "her shames" or "her private parts." While the word itself is feminine and refers to the female genitals in other contexts (e.g., [Isaiah 47:3](/isaiah/47-3 "Isaiah 47:3 - The Shame of Babylon")), in this specific legal context, it clearly refers to the male genitals. The use of a term associated with "shame" or "modesty" (from the root בּוּשׁ, _boosh_, "to be ashamed") is highly significant. It emphasizes the deeply indecent, humiliating, and offensive nature of the act, which was a profound violation of personal dignity, public propriety, and potentially a man's ability to procreate. The choice of this word underscores the moral revulsion associated with such a transgression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When men strive together one with another,"**: This clause sets the scene for the legal case: a physical altercation or fight between two men. The Hebrew verb נָצָה (_natsah_) implies a contentious struggle or dispute, indicating a heated and potentially violent confrontation. The law is not addressing a casual disagreement but a situation where physical blows are exchanged.
* **"and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him,"**: This describes the intervention. One man's wife approaches the fight, motivated by loyalty and a desire to rescue her husband from his assailant. The phrase "him that smiteth him" (מַכֵּהוּ, _makkehu_) implies that her husband is being struck or is at a disadvantage, prompting her intervention. This highlights the defensive, albeit extreme, nature of her action.
* **"and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:"**: This is the core transgression. In her attempt to free her husband, she extends her hand and seizes the other man by his genitals. This act is presented as a deliberate, albeit perhaps desperate, action. The specific nature of the grab is what elevates it from a general assault to a grave violation, targeting the most vulnerable and private part of a man's body, associated with his honor, dignity, and procreative capacity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 25:11 is a prime example of **Casuistic Law**, a common legal form in the ancient Near East, which presents a specific case ("If X happens, then Y shall be done"). This form allows for the detailed application of broader legal principles to concrete situations. The verse employs **Vivid Imagery** and explicit language to describe the scenario, leaving no ambiguity about the nature of the transgression. This clarity ensures that the community understands precisely what behavior is forbidden and why. The law also functions as a **Legal Prescript**, a direct command or prohibition, setting clear boundaries for acceptable conduct even in chaotic circumstances. The shock value of the described act, particularly when considering the implied punishment in the subsequent verse, could also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** in its severity, designed to strongly deter any similar violations of public decency and male dignity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly obscure law, when understood in its full context, reveals profound theological principles. It underscores God's concern for the holistic well-being of His people, extending even to the maintenance of public decency and the protection of personal dignity in conflict. The law implicitly teaches that while loyalty and self-defense are understandable impulses, they do not justify actions that are humiliating, degrading, or that violate the fundamental integrity of another person. It reflects a divine standard of holiness that permeates all aspects of life, including how disputes are handled. The detailed nature of such laws in the Torah demonstrates God's desire for a society ordered by justice, respect, and moral purity, contrasting sharply with the often brutal and unrestrained behavior of surrounding cultures.

* [Deuteronomy 25:12](/deuteronomy/25-12 "The Consequence of the Act")
* [Exodus 21:22-25](/exodus/21-22 "Laws Regarding Injury and Retribution")
* [Leviticus 18:6](/leviticus/18-6 "Prohibited Sexual Relations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific legal penalty associated with this verse (found in [Deuteronomy 25:12](/deuteronomy/25-12 "Deuteronomy 25:12 - The Severe Consequence")) is not applied in modern legal systems, the underlying principles of this law remain profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to consider the importance of maintaining respect for others' bodily integrity and dignity, even in adversarial situations. It reminds us that even when defending ourselves or those we love, there are ethical and moral boundaries that should not be crossed. The law implicitly teaches that while passion and loyalty may drive actions, justice and righteousness require a measured response that upholds fundamental human dignity and societal norms. It challenges us to reflect on how we conduct ourselves in public, how we handle conflict, and whether our actions truly reflect the values of modesty, respect, and love for our neighbor, even when that neighbor is an opponent. This verse, though challenging in its specificity, serves as a powerful reminder of the detailed nature of God's law and its enduring concern for order, decency, and the protection of individuals within the community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this law challenge our understanding of "just" or "necessary" intervention in conflict?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the value of human dignity and bodily integrity in God's eyes?**
* **In what ways might we, in modern contexts, violate the spirit of this law by shaming or degrading others, even without physical contact?**
* **How can we apply the principle of "limits to intervention" in our own lives, particularly in heated arguments or disputes?**

### FAQ
**Why is this law so specific and graphic?**

Answer: This law's specificity and graphic nature are characteristic of casuistic law in the ancient Near East. It addresses a very particular scenario to ensure clarity and leave no ambiguity about the forbidden act. The graphic detail serves to underscore the severity and indecency of the transgression, making it clear that such an act was a profound violation of personal dignity and public propriety. It highlights God's meticulous concern for order and moral boundaries within the community, even in the chaos of a physical fight.

**What does "secrets" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Deuteronomy 25:11](/deuteronomy/25-11 "Deuteronomy 25:11 - The Law of the Aggressive Woman"), the KJV phrase "taketh him by the secrets" translates the Hebrew word _mevushayha_ (מְבֻשֶׁיהָ). While this word literally means "her shames" or "her private parts" and can refer to female genitals elsewhere, in this specific context, it unequivocally refers to the male genitals. The use of a term associated with "shame" or "modesty" emphasizes the deeply humiliating, indecent, and offensive nature of the act, which was a grave assault on a man's honor, dignity, and potentially his ability to procreate, which was highly valued in ancient Israelite society.

**What was the punishment for this act?**

Answer: The punishment for this specific act is detailed in the very next verse, [Deuteronomy 25:12](/deuteronomy/25-12 "Deuteronomy 25:12 - The Consequence of the Act"): "Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her." This severe penalty, often interpreted as a form of _lex talionis_ (law of retaliation, "eye for an eye") but applied symbolically or as a deterrent, underscores the extreme gravity with which this particular transgression was viewed in ancient Israelite law, reflecting the profound violation of dignity and the sacredness of procreative capacity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Deuteronomy 25:11](/deuteronomy/25-11 "Deuteronomy 25:11 - The Law of the Aggressive Woman") addresses a specific legal case under the Old Covenant, its underlying principles find profound fulfillment and reinterpretation in Christ. The law's concern for human dignity, bodily integrity, and the proper boundaries of behavior, even in conflict, points to the higher standard of love and holiness revealed in Jesus. Christ did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, elevating its demands from external compliance to internal transformation (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Where the Old Testament law prescribed physical penalties for outward acts of indecency and assault, Jesus taught about the heart's intentions, emphasizing that even anger or lust can be a violation in God's eyes (cf. [Matthew 5:21-22](/matthew/5-21 "Matthew 5:21-22 - Anger as Murder") and [Matthew 5:27-28](/matthew/5-27 "Matthew 5:27-28 - Lust as Adultery")). Furthermore, Christ's teaching on loving one's enemies and turning the other cheek (cf. [Matthew 5:39-44](/matthew/5-39 "Matthew 5:39-44 - Love Your Enemies")) transcends the Old Testament's focus on retribution, calling believers to a radical standard of non-retaliation and active love, even towards those who wrong them. The New Covenant emphasizes that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (cf. [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies Are Temples")), demanding a respect for ourselves and others that far exceeds mere external compliance with legal codes. Ultimately, the law, in its severity, reveals the depth of human sin and the need for a Savior who perfectly upheld God's righteous standards and offers grace for our failures, transforming us from within to live lives that honor God and respect all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

1 Timothy 2:9

¶ In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;