Deuteronomy 25:8 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and {if} he stand {to it}, and say, I like not to take her;”

Deuteronomy 25:8

bookmark_border Save Verse

menu_book Verse in Context

Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And it shall be, {that} the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother {which is} dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. {brother's: or, next kinsman's}

Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and {if} he stand {to it}, and say, I like not to take her;

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.

And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

Save your favorite verses, get AI-powered insights tailored to your life, and discover related scripture for your spiritual journey.

person_add Create Free Account library_books Explore Topics

From This Chapter

Deuteronomy 25:1

"If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that {the judges} may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked."

Deuteronomy 25:2

"And it shall be, if the wicked man {be} worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number."

Deuteronomy 25:3

"Forty stripes he may give him, {and} not exceed: lest, {if} he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee."

Deuteronomy 25:4

"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out {the corn}. {treadeth...: Heb. thresheth}"

Deuteronomy 25:5

"If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. {her husband's...: or, her next kinsman}"

Deuteronomy 25:6

"And it shall be, {that} the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother {which is} dead, that his name be not put out of Israel."

Important Disclaimer: This biblical guidance is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're experiencing crisis symptoms, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or seek immediate professional help.

Bible Guided provides faith-based guidance and should complement, not replace, professional therapeutic support.

shareShare Your Journey

menu_book Verse in Context

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

From This Chapter