Deuteronomy 25:9

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.

Then shall his brother's wife {H2994} come {H5066} unto him in the presence {H5869} of the elders {H2205}, and loose {H2502} his shoe {H5275} from off his foot {H7272}, and spit {H3417} in his face {H6440}, and shall answer {H6030} and say {H559}, So shall it be done {H6213} unto that man {H376} that will not build up {H1129} his brother's {H251} house {H1004}.

then his brother's widow is to approach him in the presence of the leaders, pull his sandal off his foot, spit in his face and say, 'This is what is done to the man who refuses to build up his brother's family.'

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.”

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.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:9 describes a specific and highly public shaming ritual within ancient Israelite law, targeting a man who refused to uphold his familial duty under the levirate marriage law. This verse is part of a larger section detailing various civil and social regulations, emphasizing justice and order within the community.

Context of Deuteronomy 25:9

This verse is found within the broader legal framework of the levirate marriage, or Yibbum, detailed in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. This law stipulated that if a man died without leaving an heir, his brother was obligated to marry the widow and raise offspring in the deceased brother's name. This ensured the continuation of the family line, preserved the deceased's inheritance, and provided for the widow, who would otherwise be vulnerable in a patriarchal society. If the brother refused this duty, he faced severe public disgrace, as outlined in verse 9.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Familial Duty and Responsibility: The law underscored the profound importance of maintaining family lineage and providing for the vulnerable, especially widows, in ancient Israelite society. Refusal was seen as a grave dereliction of duty.
  • Public Shame and Accountability: The ritual described was not a private matter but a public spectacle, performed "in the presence of the elders." This public shaming served as a powerful deterrent against shirking responsibility and reinforced societal norms.
  • Preservation of Name and Inheritance: The core purpose of the levirate law was to prevent a family line from dying out and to ensure that the deceased's name and property remained within his lineage.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse clearly illustrates that neglecting a divinely ordained social obligation carried significant, tangible consequences in the community.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

  • "loose his shoe from off his foot": This act, known in later Jewish tradition as halitzah (חִאלִיצָה), was a symbolic gesture. In ancient Near Eastern custom, the transfer of a shoe could signify a transaction, a renunciation of rights, or the transfer of property. By having his shoe removed, the man publicly renounced his right and responsibility to the widow and his deceased brother's house. A similar custom involving the shoe is seen in the book of Ruth concerning the transfer of redemption rights, as described in Ruth 4:7.
  • "and spit in his face": This was an act of extreme contempt and ultimate public humiliation. It was a clear, unmistakable sign of disgrace and scorn, indicating that the man had brought shame upon himself and his family by refusing to fulfill his sacred duty.
  • "So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house": This concluding statement by the widow formalized the public declaration of his failure to uphold his responsibility to "build up" (meaning to establish or preserve the family line) his brother's household.

Practical Application and Reflection

While the specific ritual of Deuteronomy 25:9 is not observed today, the underlying principles offer valuable insights:

  • The Importance of Commitment: God's law emphasized the seriousness of commitments, especially those concerning family and the vulnerable. We are called to be people of our word and uphold our responsibilities.
  • Caring for the Vulnerable: The law protected widows, who were often without support in ancient society. This reflects God's enduring concern for the marginalized and those in need, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., James 1:27).
  • Consequences of Neglecting Duty: While the consequences today may not involve public spitting, the Bible consistently teaches that neglecting our responsibilities, whether to God or to others, has spiritual, social, and personal repercussions.
  • Community Accountability: The presence of the elders highlights the role of the community in upholding justice and moral standards. Believers are called to live accountably within the body of Christ.

Deuteronomy 25:9 vividly portrays the gravity with which ancient Israel viewed familial duty and the severe social cost of failing to honor one's obligations, particularly in the context of preserving a family's legacy and caring for its most vulnerable members.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ruth 4:7

    Now this [was the manner] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave [it] to his neighbour: and this [was] a testimony in Israel.

  • Ruth 4:8

    Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy [it] for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

  • Numbers 12:14

    And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in [again].

  • Mark 1:7

    And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

  • Ruth 4:10

    Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day.

  • Ruth 4:11

    And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

  • John 1:27

    He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
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