Deuteronomy 25:11

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 25:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11When 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;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When men strive together, one with another, etc.] Quarrel with one another, and come to blows, and strive for mastery, which shall beat, and be the best man: and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him; perceiving that his antagonist has more skill or strength, or both, for fighting, and is an more than a match for her husband, who is like to be much bruised and hurt; wherefore, to save him out of the hands of the smiter, she goes up to them to part them, or take her husband’s side: and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets; or privy parts; in Hebrew his “shameful” parts f464, which through shame are hidden, and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“25:11-12 cut off her hand: The woman’s act would emasculate the man, depriving him of (or cutting off from him) any offspring. As with the previous law (25:9), the punishment fits the crime (lex talionis; see study note on 19:21).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to deliver her husband: Rom 3:8; Ti1 2:9 Deuteronomy 25:12”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"But in order that the great independence which is here accorded to a childless widow in relation to her brother-in-law, might not be interpreted as a false freedom granted to the female sex" (Baumgarten), the law is added immediately afterwards, that a woman whose husband was quarrelling with another, and who should come to his assistance by laying hold of the secret parts of the man who was striking her husband, should have her hand cut off. Deuteronomy 25:13”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification