Deuteronomy 25:11

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:

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}:

"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,

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,

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;

Deuteronomy 25:11 presents a specific and rather graphic legal case within the Mosaic Law, dealing with an extreme act committed during a physical altercation between men.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapters 22-25) that lays out various civil, social, and ethical laws for the Israelite community. These laws cover a wide range of topics, from property rights to family matters, and reflect God's desire for a just, orderly, and morally upright society. The immediate context of this verse is concerning legal disputes and proper conduct.

The scenario described involves two men fighting. A wife intervenes to save her husband, but in her zeal, she crosses a severe line by grabbing the other man by his "secrets," referring to his genitals. This act was considered not only indecent but also a grave assault on the man's dignity and his ability to procreate, which was highly valued in ancient Israelite society for the continuation of the family line.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Public Decorum and Modesty: The law emphasizes the importance of maintaining public decency and avoiding acts that are overtly shameful or humiliating. Even in a heated conflict, there were boundaries to acceptable behavior.
  • Protection of Bodily Integrity and Dignity: The specific nature of the assault targeted a man's most private and vulnerable area, which was tied to his honor and the continuation of his lineage. Such an act was seen as a profound violation.
  • Limits of Intervention: While a wife's loyalty to her husband is implied, the law dictates that there are limits to how one may intervene, even in defense. The severity of the prescribed punishment in the following verse, Deuteronomy 25:12, underscores the gravity of this particular transgression.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "taketh him by the secrets" translates the Hebrew word מְבֻשֶׁיהָ (mevushayha), which literally means "her shames" or "her private parts," but in this context refers to the male genitals. The use of a term associated with shame or modesty highlights the indecent and offensive nature of the act, which was a profound violation of personal dignity and public propriety.

Practical Application

While the specific legal penalty of cutting off the hand is not applied in modern legal systems, the underlying principles of this law remain relevant. It speaks to:

  • The importance of maintaining respect for others' bodily integrity and dignity, even in adversarial situations.
  • The need for civil order and preventing actions that are overtly humiliating or degrading in public.
  • The idea that even in self-defense or in defense of another, there are ethical boundaries that should not be crossed. The law implicitly teaches that while passion may drive actions, justice requires a measured response that upholds fundamental human dignity and societal norms.

This verse, though challenging, serves as a reminder of the detailed nature of God's law for ancient Israel and its concern for order, decency, and the protection of individuals within the community.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;
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