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Deuteronomy 25

BSB·19 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → there isיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a disputeרִיב֙rîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study → betweenבֵּ֣יןbên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → menאֲנָשִׁ֔ים’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study →, they are to goוְנִגְּשׁ֥וּwə·nig·gə·šū — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → courtהַמִּשְׁפָּ֖טham·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → to be judgedוּשְׁפָט֑וּםū·šə·p̄ā·ṭūm — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study →, so that the innocentהַצַּדִּ֔יקhaṣ·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → may be acquittedוְהִצְדִּ֙יקוּ֙wə·hiṣ·dî·qū — To be righteous, justify, vindicateH6663 — Full Word Study → and the guiltyהָרָשָֽׁע׃hā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → condemnedוְהִרְשִׁ֖יעוּwə·hir·šî·‘ū — To act wickedly; condemn as guiltyH7561 — Full Word Study →. 2Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → the guilty manהָרָשָׁ֑עhā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → deserves to be beatenהַכּ֖וֹתhak·kō·wṯ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study →, the judgeהַשֹּׁפֵט֙haš·šō·p̄êṭ — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → shall have him lie downוְהִפִּיל֤וֹwə·hip·pî·lōw — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → and be floggedוְהִכָּ֣הוּwə·hik·kā·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → in his presenceלְפָנָ֔יוlə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → with the numberבְּמִסְפָּֽר׃bə·mis·pār — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → of lashesכְּדֵ֥יkə·ḏê — Sufficiency, enough, according to capacityH1767 — Full Word Study → his crime warrantsרִשְׁעָת֖וֹriš·‘ā·ṯōw — Wickedness, depravity, evil conductH7564 — Full Word Study →. 3He may receiveיַכֶּ֖נּוּyak·ken·nū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → noלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → moreיֹסִ֑יףyō·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → than forty lashes, lestפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → your brotherאָחִ֖יךָ’ā·ḥî·ḵā — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → be beatenלְהַכֹּת֤וֹlə·hak·kō·ṯōw — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → any moreיֹסִ֨יףyō·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → thanעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → thatאֵ֙לֶּה֙’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → and be degradedוְנִקְלָ֥הwə·niq·lāh — To treat with contempt; to despise or dishonorH7034 — Full Word Study → in your sightלְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃סlə·‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 4Do notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → muzzleתַחְסֹ֥םṯaḥ·sōm — to muzzle, restrain, or silenceH2629 — Full Word Study → an oxשׁ֖וֹרšō·wr — Ox, bull, or cattleH7794 — Full Word Study → while it is treading out the grainבְּדִישֽׁוֹ׃סbə·ḏî·šōw — to tread, thresh, trampleH1758 — Full Word Study →. 5Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → brothersאַחִ֜ים’a·ḥîm — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → dwellיֵשְׁב֨וּyê·šə·ḇū — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → togetherיַחְדָּ֗וyaḥ·dāw — together, united, as oneH3162 — Full Word Study → and oneאַחַ֤ד’a·ḥaḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → of them diesוּמֵ֨תū·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → withoutאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → a sonוּבֵ֣ןū·ḇên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, the widowאֵֽשֶׁת־’ê·šeṯ- — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → must notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → marryתִהְיֶ֧הṯih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → outside the family. Her husband’s brotherיְבָמָהּ֙yə·ḇā·māh — husband's brother; brother-in-lawH2993 — Full Word Study → is to take herוּלְקָחָ֥הּū·lə·qā·ḥāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → as his wifeלְאִשָּׁ֖הlə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for herוְיִבְּמָֽהּ׃wə·yib·bə·māh — to perform levirate marriage; marry a brother's widowH2992 — Full Word Study →. 6The first sonהַבְּכוֹר֙hab·bə·ḵō·wr — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → she bearsתֵּלֵ֔דtê·lêḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → will carryיָק֕וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the nameשֵׁ֥םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the deadהַמֵּ֑תham·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → brotherאָחִ֖יו’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, so that his nameשְׁמ֖וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → will notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be blotted outיִמָּחֶ֥הyim·mā·ḥeh — To blot out, erase, or wipe awayH4229 — Full Word Study → from Israelמִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃mî·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 7But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → the manהָאִ֔ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → does notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → wantיַחְפֹּץ֙yaḥ·pōṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → to marryלָקַ֖חַתlā·qa·ḥaṯ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → his brother’s widowיְבִמְתּ֑וֹyə·ḇim·tōw — A wife's sister or brother's wife; sister-in-lawH2994 — Full Word Study →, sheיְבִמְתּ֨וֹyə·ḇim·tōw — A wife's sister or brother's wife; sister-in-lawH2994 — Full Word Study → is to goוְעָלְתָה֩wə·‘ā·lə·ṯāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the eldersהַזְּקֵנִ֗יםhaz·zə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → at the city gateהַשַּׁ֜עְרָהhaš·ša‘·rāh — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → and sayוְאָֽמְרָה֙wə·’ā·mə·rāh — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “My husband’s brotherיְבָמִ֜יyə·ḇā·mî — husband's brother; brother-in-lawH2993 — Full Word Study → refusesמֵאֵ֨יןmê·’ên — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to preserveלְהָקִ֨יםlə·hā·qîm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → his brother’sלְאָחִ֥יוlə·’ā·ḥîw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → nameשֵׁם֙šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לbə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. He is notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → willingאָבָ֖ה’ā·ḇāh — to be willing, consent, desireH14 — Full Word Study → to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for meיַבְּמִֽי׃yab·bə·mî — to perform levirate marriage; marry a brother's widowH2992 — Full Word Study →.” 8Then the eldersזִקְנֵי־ziq·nê- — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of his cityעִיר֖וֹ‘î·rōw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → shall summonוְקָֽרְאוּ־wə·qā·rə·’ū- — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → him and speakוְדִבְּר֣וּwə·ḏib·bə·rū — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → with himאֵלָ֑יו’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. If he persistsוְעָמַ֣דwə·‘ā·maḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → and saysוְאָמַ֔רwə·’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I do notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → wantחָפַ֖צְתִּיḥā·p̄aṣ·tî — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → to marry herלְקַחְתָּֽהּ׃lə·qaḥ·tāh — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study →,” 9his brother’s widowיְבִמְתּ֣וֹyə·ḇim·tōw — A wife's sister or brother's wife; sister-in-lawH2994 — Full Word Study → shall go upוְנִגְּשָׁ֨הwə·nig·gə·šāh — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → to himאֵלָיו֮’ê·lāw — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → in the presenceלְעֵינֵ֣יlə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of the eldersהַזְּקֵנִים֒haz·zə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study →, removeוְחָלְצָ֤הwə·ḥā·lə·ṣāh — to strip off; to arm; to deliverH2502 — Full Word Study → his sandalנַעֲלוֹ֙na·‘ă·lōw — Sandal or shoe; footwearH5275 — Full Word Study →, spitוְיָרְקָ֖הwə·yā·rə·qāh — To spit; to expel salivaH3417 — Full Word Study → in his faceבְּפָנָ֑יוbə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, and declareוְאָ֣מְרָ֔הwə·’ā·mə·rāh — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “This is whatכָּ֚כָהkā·ḵāh — Thus; in this manner; soH3602 — Full Word Study → is doneיֵעָשֶׂ֣הyê·‘ā·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to the manלָאִ֔ישׁlā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → will notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → maintainיִבְנֶ֖הyiḇ·neh — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → his brother’sאָחִֽיוʾå̄·ḥīw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → lineבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →.” 10And his family nameשְׁמ֖וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לbə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → will be calledוְנִקְרָ֥אwə·niq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →The Houseבֵּ֖יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the Unsandaledהַנָּֽעַל׃סhan·nā·‘al — Sandal or shoe; footwearH5275 — Full Word Study →.” 11Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → two menאֲנָשִׁ֤ים’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → are fightingיִנָּצ֨וּyin·nā·ṣū — to quarrel; to be laid wasteH5327 — Full Word Study →, and the wifeאֵ֣שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → of oneהָֽאֶחָ֔דhā·’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → steps in to rescueלְהַצִּ֥ילlə·haṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → her husbandאִישָׁ֖הּ’îš·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → fromמִיַּ֣דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → the one striking himמַכֵּ֑הוּmak·kê·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study →, and she reaches outוְשָׁלְחָ֣הwə·šā·lə·ḥāh — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → her handיָדָ֔הּyā·ḏāh — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → and grabsוְהֶחֱזִ֖יקָהwə·he·ḥĕ·zî·qāh — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → his genitalsבִּמְבֻשָֽׁיו׃bim·ḇu·šāw — nakedness, genitals, shameful partsH4016 — Full Word Study →, 12you are to cut offוְקַצֹּתָ֖הwə·qaṣ·ṣō·ṯāh — To cut off; to sever; to cut asunderH7112 — Full Word Study → her handכַּפָּ֑הּkap·pāh — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study →. You must show her no pityתָח֖וֹסṯā·ḥō·ws — to have compassion, spare, or show pityH2347 — Full Word Study →. 13You shall notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → haveיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → two differing weightsאֶ֣בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → in your bagבְּכִֽיסְךָ֖bə·ḵî·sə·ḵā — Purse, bag, or pouch for carrying itemsH3599 — Full Word Study →, one heavyגְּדוֹלָ֖הgə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → and one lightוּקְטַנָּֽה׃סū·qə·ṭan·nāh — Small, little, least, or young in size, number, age, or importanceH6996 — Full Word Study →. 14You shall notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → haveיִהְיֶ֥הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → two differing measuresאֵיפָ֣ה’ê·p̄āh — A dry measure of grain; a unit of capacityH374 — Full Word Study → in your houseבְּבֵיתְךָ֖bə·ḇê·ṯə·ḵā — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, one largeגְּדוֹלָ֖הgə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → and one smallוּקְטַנָּֽה׃ū·qə·ṭan·nāh — Small, little, least, or young in size, number, age, or importanceH6996 — Full Word Study →. 15You must maintainיִֽהְיֶה־yih·yeh- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → accurateשְׁלֵמָ֤הšə·lê·māh — Complete, whole, perfect, at peaceH8003 — Full Word Study → and honestוָצֶ֙דֶק֙wā·ṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → weightsאֶ֣בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → and measuresאֵיפָ֧ה’ê·p̄āh — A dry measure of grain; a unit of capacityH374 — Full Word Study →, so thatלְמַ֙עַן֙lə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → you may live longיַאֲרִ֣יכוּya·’ă·rî·ḵū — to lengthen, prolong, or extend in time or spaceH748 — Full Word Study → inעַ֚ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the landהָֽאֲדָמָ֔הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you. 16Forכִּ֧יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → everyoneכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who behavesעֹ֥שֵׂה‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → dishonestlyעָֽוֶל׃פ‘ā·wel — Moral evil, wickedness, unrighteousnessH5766 — Full Word Study → in regard to these thingsאֵ֑לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → is detestableתוֹעֲבַ֛תṯō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 17Rememberזָכ֕וֹרzā·ḵō·wr — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → whatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵ֑ק‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → didעָשָׂ֥ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to you along your wayבַּדֶּ֖רֶךְbad·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → fromבְּצֵאתְכֶ֥םbə·ṣê·ṯə·ḵem — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → Egyptמִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃mim·miṣ·rā·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study →, 18howאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → they met youקָֽרְךָ֜qā·rə·ḵā — to meet, befall, happen; to impose or lay (beams)H7136 — Full Word Study → on your journeyבַּדֶּ֗רֶךְbad·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → when youוְאַתָּ֖הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → were tiredוְיָגֵ֑עַwə·yā·ḡê·a‘ — to be weary, exhausted, or fatiguedH3023 — Full Word Study → and wearyעָיֵ֣ף‘ā·yêp̄ — Weary, faint, exhaustedH5889 — Full Word Study →, and they attackedוַיְזַנֵּ֤בway·zan·nêḇ — to cut off the tail; to strike the rearH2179 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → your stragglersהַנֶּחֱשָׁלִ֣יםhan·ne·ḥĕ·šā·lîm — To become weak, feeble, or powerlessH2826 — Full Word Study →; they had noוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → fearיָרֵ֖אyā·rê — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → of Godאֱלֹהִֽים׃’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 19When the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֣יךָ׀’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → gives you restבְּהָנִ֣יחַbə·hā·nî·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → fromמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the enemiesאֹ֨יְבֶ֜יךָ’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → around youמִסָּבִ֗יבmis·sā·ḇîḇ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → in the landבָּאָ֙רֶץ֙bā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → He is givingנֹתֵ֨ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you to possessלְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּlə·riš·tāh — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study → as an inheritanceנַחֲלָה֙na·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →, you are to blot outתִּמְחֶה֙tim·ḥeh — To blot out, erase, or wipe awayH4229 — Full Word Study → the memoryזֵ֣כֶרzê·ḵer — memorial, remembrance, or fragrant nameH2143 — Full Word Study → of Amalekעֲמָלֵ֔ק‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study → from underמִתַּ֖חַתmit·ta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → heavenהַשָּׁמָ֑יִםhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →. Do notלֹ֖אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → forgetתִּשְׁכָּֽח׃פtiš·kāḥ — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Deuteronomy 25
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Deuteronomy 25 presents a collection of laws that reveal God's heart for justice, compassion, and integrity within the covenant community. These regulations cover civil disputes and penalties, family obligations, fair business practices, and remembrance of God's deliverance. Though culturally distant from us, each law illustrates the principle that God's people are called to live differently from the surrounding nations—reflecting God's character through righteous conduct in every sphere of life.

Verses 1-3: Justice Tempered with Mercy

When disputes arise between members of God's covenant community, the judges are to justify the righteous and condemn the wicked (verse 1). If corporal punishment is warranted, it must be administered before the judge and limited to forty stripes (verses 2-3). This seems harsh to modern ears, but notice the restraint: the law caps punishment to prevent cruel excess and the degradation of the offender. The concern that a brother "should seem vile unto thee" shows that even punishment must preserve human dignity. God's justice is neither indifferent nor vengeful—it aims at restoration within community.

Verse 4: Care for the Laborer

The command not to muzzle an ox while it treads out grain is deceptively simple. This law protects the animal from deprivation during its labor. Paul applies this principle in 1 Corinthians 9:9-10, arguing that those who labor in God's kingdom deserve provision and support. The law teaches that our obligations extend even to creatures, and certainly to people who serve faithfully.

Verses 5-10: Levirate Marriage and Family Continuity

The levirate law (from the Latin levir, "brother-in-law") requires a deceased man's brother to marry his widow, so that offspring bear the dead man's name and preserve his inheritance. This seems foreign today, but it protected vulnerable widows and secured family property in an agrarian society. Verse 9's ceremony—removing the shoe and spitting—was a public shaming for one who refused this duty, underscoring that family obligation was sacred. Though we no longer practice this custom, it shows Scripture's concern for widow protection and family preservation. (See Ruth 3-4 for a beautiful example.)

Verses 11-12: Proportional Justice

The law of the grasping wife is stark: if a woman strikes a man's genitals while defending her husband, her hand is to be cut off without pity. This law of exact retaliation (lex talionis) seems severe, but it establishes the principle that justice must be proportional and that certain boundary violations demand serious consequence. The law emphasizes that even in self-defense, there are limits to acceptable behavior.

Verses 13-16: Honest Weights and Measures

Dishonest scales—keeping heavy weights for buying and light weights for selling—were common fraud in ancient commerce. God forbids this deception and promises longevity in the land to those who practice integrity (verse 15). The principle is clear: honesty in business is not optional for God's people. All who act unrighteously are "an abomination unto the LORD" (verse 16).

Verses 17-19: Remember Amalek

Israel is commanded to remember how Amalek attacked the weak and weary without fear of God (verses 17-18) and to blot out his name once God grants rest from enemies (verse 19). This command preserves the memory of God's enemies and justifies future judgment. It also reminds believers that opposition to God's people will be answered.

Application for Today

Though these civil laws are not directly binding on modern Christians (Christ fulfilled the ceremonial and civil law), their moral principles endure. We are called to pursue justice fairly, care for the vulnerable and laboring, keep our word in family matters, conduct business with absolute honesty, and remember that God ultimately judges all unrighteousness. In Christ, we show mercy without compromising truth—the balance God desires.

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