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Deuteronomy 25

World English Bible

WEB

1If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment and the judges judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. 2It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number. 3He may sentence him to no more than forty stripes. He shall not give more, lest if he should give more and beat him more than that many stripes, then your brother will be degraded in your sight. 4You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. 5If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel. 7If the man doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” 8Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him. If he stands and says, “I don’t want to take her,” 9then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his sandal from off his foot, and spit in his face. She shall answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.” 10His name shall be called in Israel, “The house of him who had his sandal removed.” 11When men strive against each other, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts out her hand, and grabs him by his private parts, 12then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity. 13You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light. 14You shall not have in your house diverse measures, one large and one small. 15You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. 16For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God. 17Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came out of Egypt, 18how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn’t fear God. 19Therefore it shall be, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky. You shall not forget.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Deuteronomy Chapter 25 presents a series of laws that reflect God's concern for justice, compassion, and community responsibility among the Israelites. The chapter begins with guidelines for dealing with disputes, emphasizing the importance of fair judgment. If two men have a quarrel, they are to be brought before judges, and the judges will decide the case. This process underscores the need for impartiality and righteousness in the community, as seen in verses 1-3, where the punishment must fit the crime without exceeding it. This principle of justice is foundational for maintaining order and harmony within the nation of Israel.

The chapter continues with laws regarding the treatment of animals and the dignity of individuals. In verses 4, it states, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," highlighting the importance of caring for those who labor. Additionally, the chapter addresses the practice of levirate marriage in verses 5-10, where a man is instructed to marry his deceased brother's widow to preserve the family line. This law reflects God's desire for family continuity and the protection of vulnerable members of society. The chapter concludes with a call for the Israelites to remember the importance of justice and integrity, warning against dishonesty in business practices, as seen in verses 13-16. Overall, Deuteronomy 25 emphasizes the need for a just society that honors God’s commandments and cares for one another, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.
#Deuteronomy #Justice #Compassion #LevirateMarriage

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Referenced by

  1. Genesis 38:8v5Genesis 38:8 describes the practice of levirate marriage, where Judah instructs Onan to marry his brother's widow, Tamar, to produce offspring for his deceased brother. This practice is later codified in the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 25:5-6.
  2. Ruth 3:13v5Ruth 3:13 involves Boaz's commitment to fulfill the role of kinsman-redeemer if the closer relative does not. This is rooted in the levirate marriage law found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, which ensures the continuation of a family line.
  3. Ruth 4:10v5Ruth 4:10 describes Boaz's intention to marry Ruth to maintain the name of the deceased on his inheritance, which is a direct application of the levirate marriage law outlined in Deuteronomy 25:5-10.
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:9v4Paul cites Deuteronomy 25:4, 'You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,' to illustrate the principle that workers deserve their wages, applying it to the rights of apostles to receive material support.
  5. 1 Timothy 5:18v41 Timothy 5:18 quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox, applying it to the principle of fair compensation for laborers.

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