King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 25:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 25:11 in the King James Version says “When men strive together one with another , and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the h...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When men strive together one with another , and the wife of the one draweth near for 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 · KJV

Context

9

Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.

10

And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

11

When men strive together one with another , and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

12

Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.

13

Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights , a great and a small. divers: Heb. a stone and a stone

Read Deuteronomy 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband—describing a wife intervening in a fight to protect her husband. And putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets—the Hebrew machazah bim-bushaiv (הֶחֱזִיקָה בִּמְבֻשָׁיו) literally means 'seizes his shameful parts,' referring to grabbing the genitals of her husband's attacker. This was both extreme violation of modesty and tactical assault aimed at causing pain and humiliation.

The specificity of this law suggests it addressed an actual problem, not hypothetical cases. Grabbing genitals in combat was evidently common enough to require explicit prohibition. The severity of response (verse 12) indicates this was considered particularly shameful and dangerous—threatening another man's ability to father children struck at family continuity and dignity in ways other injuries didn't.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Given circa 1406 BC as part of the detailed case laws regulating community life. Physical fights between men were evidently common (see Exodus 21:18-19, 22-25 for other fight scenarios). The law presumes close-quarters village life where private disputes escalated publicly. The emphasis on protecting male genitals reflects ancient Near Eastern concern for procreative ability—damage here could render a man unable to fulfill his primary social role as father and provider.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does this seemingly bizarre law appear in Scripture? What does specificity reveal about biblical law's practical nature?
  2. How does the law balance the wife's protective instinct with prohibitions against immodest or excessive violence?
  3. What principles govern legitimate self-defense or defense of others versus actions that go too far?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּֽי1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִנָּצ֨וּ2 of 18

“strive”

H5327

properly, to go forth, i.e., (by implication) to be expelled, and (consequently) desolate; causatively, to lay waste; also (specifically), to quarrel

אִישָׁ֖הּ3 of 18

“her husband”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יַחְדָּו֙4 of 18

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

אִישָׁ֖הּ5 of 18

“her husband”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְאָחִ֔יו6 of 18

“one with another”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְקָֽרְבָה֙7 of 18

“draweth near”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֵ֣שֶׁת8 of 18

“and the wife”

H802

a woman

הָֽאֶחָ֔ד9 of 18

“of the one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְהַצִּ֥יל10 of 18

“for to deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶת11 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִישָׁ֖הּ12 of 18

“her husband”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יָדָ֔הּ13 of 18

“her hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מַכֵּ֑הוּ14 of 18

“of him that smiteth”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

וְשָֽׁלְחָ֣ה15 of 18

“him and putteth forth”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יָדָ֔הּ16 of 18

“her hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְהֶֽחֱזִ֖יקָה17 of 18

“and taketh”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

בִּמְבֻשָֽׁיו׃18 of 18

“him by the secrets”

H4016

(plural) the (male) pudenda

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 25:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 25:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Timothy 2:9Romans 3:8

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 25 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes