Deuteronomy 25:8
Deuteronomy 25:8 in Multiple Translations
Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,”
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 the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand, and say, I like not to take her;
Then the responsible men of the town will send for the man, and have talk with him: and if he still says, I will not take her;
The town elders are to summon him and talk with him. If he continues to refuse and says, “I don't want to marry her,”
Then the Elders of his citie shall call him, and commune with him: if he stand and say, I wil not take her,
and the elders of his city have called for him, and spoken unto him, and he hath stood and said, I have no desire to take her;
Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him. If he stands and says, “I don’t want to take her,”
Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him: and if he shall stand to it , and say, I like not to take her,
And they shall cause him to be sent for forthwith, and shall ask him. If he answer: I will not take her to wife:
Then the elders must summon that man and talk to him. If he still refuses to marry that widow,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 25:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 25:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/קָֽרְאוּ
ל֥/וֹ
זִקְנֵי
עִיר֖/וֹ
וְ/דִבְּר֣וּ
אֵלָ֑י/ו
וְ/עָמַ֣ד
וְ/אָמַ֔ר
לֹ֥א
חָפַ֖צְתִּי
לְ/קַחְתָּֽ/הּ
וְ/קָֽרְאוּ
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
ל֥/וֹ
Prep | Suff
זִקְנֵי
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
עִיר֖/וֹ
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs | Suff
וְ/דִבְּר֣וּ
dâbar
H1696
to speak
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
אֵלָ֑י/ו
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/עָמַ֣ד
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
וְ/אָמַ֔ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
חָפַ֖צְתִּי
châphêts
H2654
to delight in
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
לְ/קַחְתָּֽ/הּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 25:8
וְ/קָֽרְאוּ
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
ל֥/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
זִקְנֵי
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
עִיר֖/וֹ
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וְ/דִבְּר֣וּ
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
אֵלָ֑י/ו
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
וְ/עָמַ֣ד
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
וְ/אָמַ֔ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
חָפַ֖צְתִּי
châphêts
H2654
"to delight in"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This verb means to be pleased with something or someone. In the Bible, it describes God's delight in his people and their desire to follow him, like in Psalm 51.
Definition: 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. See also: Genesis 34:19; Psalms 51:21; Psalms 18:20.
לְ/קַחְתָּֽ/הּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 25:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 25:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 25:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 25:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:8
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 25:8
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 25:8
Context — Widowhood and Marriage
6The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
7But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.”
8Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,”
9his 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.” 10And his family name in Israel will be called “The House of the Unsandaled.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruth 4:6 | The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” |
Deuteronomy 25:8 Summary
In Deuteronomy 25:8, the elders of the city are summoned to talk to a man who refuses to marry his brother's widow, as commanded in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. This is a big deal because the man is supposed to help preserve his brother's name and family line, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:6. The elders want to understand why the man is refusing and to encourage him to do the right thing, similar to how God wants us to take care of each other, as seen in Galatians 6:2 and 1 John 3:16-18. By studying this verse, we can learn more about the importance of family, community, and taking care of one another, as taught in Scripture, such as in Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the elders summoning the man in Deuteronomy 25:8?
The purpose is to address the man's refusal to marry his brother's widow, as commanded in Deuteronomy 25:5-6, and to give him an opportunity to explain himself, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:8.
Why is the man's refusal to marry his brother's widow a significant issue?
The man's refusal is significant because it goes against the command to preserve his brother's name and lineage, as stated in Deuteronomy 25:6, and is also a matter of family and community responsibility, as seen in Genesis 38:8 and Ruth 3:1-4:12.
What is the role of the elders in this situation?
The elders serve as mediators and authorities, responsible for ensuring that the man understands his obligations and the consequences of his refusal, as stated in Deuteronomy 25:8-9, similar to their role in other community matters, such as in Deuteronomy 21:1-9 and 22:13-19.
How does this verse relate to the concept of family and community in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of family and community responsibility, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, and is consistent with other biblical teachings on the value of family and community, such as in Psalms 68:6 and 1 Timothy 5:8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my commitment to my family and community, just like the biblical command to preserve a brother's name and lineage?
- How can I balance my own desires and interests with my responsibilities to others, as seen in the man's refusal to marry his brother's widow?
- What are some consequences of refusing to fulfill my responsibilities to others, as seen in the man's punishment in Deuteronomy 25:9-10?
- How can I seek guidance and accountability from spiritual leaders, like the elders in this verse, in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 25:8
Then the elders of his city shall call him,.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 25:8
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:8
Speak unto him, to convince him of the duty, and persuade him to it. If he stand to it; if he obstinately refuse it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:8
Deuteronomy 25:5-10. .(5) If brethren dwell together.—This law is made the subject of a whole treatise in the Talmud, called Yebâmôth. The object of the law was held to be attained if the family of the dead man was perpetuated, and did not become extinct. And therefore the marriage specified was not necessarily between the brother and the brother’s wife, but might be between other representatives of the two persons in question. (See Ruth 4) The law is older than Moses. We first hear of it in the household of Judah the son of Jacob (Genesis 38:8). The violation of the law then was punished with death, not with disgrace only. But that which makes the law most memorable, is the teaching elicited from the lips of our Saviour by the question which the Sadducees raised upon it (see marginal reference). It is worth while to observe that the law itself demands that in some sense there should be a resurrection. Boaz puts it thus (Rth 4:5), “to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.” Why should the name of the dead be kept up, if the dead has passed out of existence? We may well believe that this law was partly intended (like baptism for the dead, or like giving children the names of their departed progenitors) for the express purpose of keeping alive the hope of resurrection in the minds of the chosen people.
(11,12) When men strive together. . . .—Another precept of humanity. In Exodus 21:22, “If men strive and hurt a woman with child,” punishment or compensation must follow. The law in this place is the counterpart of that. Men must be protected as well as women. Putteth forth her hand and taketh him.—“Him,” i.e., him that smiteth her husband. The precept is to enforce modesty as well as to protect humanity.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 25:8
8. This v. really continues the protasis of the cond. sentence which starts in Deuteronomy 25:7; the apodosis begins with Deuteronomy 25:9.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 25:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(The Book of Ruth) 4. Boaz and the Nearer Kinsman by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the power of Jesus' blood to redeem and transform our lives. He emphasizes that Jesus can make something beautiful out of our brokenness and |
|
Ruth - Part 6 by John McGregor | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a godly heritage and how it can still happen today. Despite the challenges and distractions of the world, the preac |