Deuteronomy 25:8

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 25:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand, and say, I like not to take her;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand, and say, I like not to take her;
Deuteronomy 25:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand, and say, I like not to take her;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the elders of his city shall call him, etc.] Require him to come, before them, and declare his resolution, and the reasons for it; recite this law to him, and explain the nature of it, and exhort him to comply with it, or show reason why he does not, at least to have his final resolution upon it: and speak unto him; talk with him upon this subject, and give him their best advice; and what that was Maimonides f456 more particularly informs us; if it is good and advisable to marry, they advise him to marry; but if it is better advice to pluck off the shoe, they give it; as when she is young and he is old, or she is old and he young, they advise him to allow the shoe to be plucked off: and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The law of levirate marriage. The law on this subject is not unique to the Jews, but is found (see Genesis 38:8) in all essential respects the same among various Oriental nations, ancient and modern. The rules in these verses, like those upon divorce, do but incorporate existing immemorial usages, and introduce various wise and politic limitations and mitigations of them. The root of the obligation here imposed upon the brother of the deceased husband lies in the primitive idea of childlessness being a great calamity (compare Genesis 16:4; and note), and extinction of name and family one of the greatest that could happen (compare Deuteronomy 9:14; Psalms 109:12-15). To avert this the…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I like not: Rut 4:6 Deuteronomy 25:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification