King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 25:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 25:7 in the King James Version says “And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and s...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. brother's: or, next kinsman's”

Deuteronomy 25:7 · KJV

Context

5

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 wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. her husband's: or, her next kinsman

6

And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

7

And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. brother's: or, next kinsman's

8

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;

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.

Read Deuteronomy 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if the man like not to take his brother's wife—the brother-in-law could refuse the obligation, though at social cost. Then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders—the city gate was where legal matters were adjudicated publicly. She initiated proceedings, saying My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother (yibbemi, יַבְּמִי, 'act as my levir').

The law recognized the brother-in-law's right to decline—levirate marriage couldn't be coerced—but required public process. The widow gained advocate status, able to bring accusation before community leaders. This protected her from indefinite limbo; the brother must either marry her or release her through public ceremony. The procedure gave her dignity and agency, contrasting sharply with cultures where widows had no legal standing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC in anticipation of Israel's settled judiciary system. The elders at the gate functioned as local court, handling disputes, witnessing transactions (Ruth 4:1-11), and ensuring justice. This decentralized system presumed small communities where public shame carried weight. The widow's ability to initiate proceedings and publicly challenge the brother showed Israel's law protected even vulnerable women's rights.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God allow the brother-in-law to refuse while also creating public accountability?
  2. How does giving the widow legal standing and voice demonstrate God's justice for the vulnerable?
  3. What situations today require public accountability rather than private decisions to protect the powerless?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאִם1 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֤א2 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַחְפֹּץ֙3 of 22

“like”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

הָאִ֔ישׁ4 of 22

“And if the man”

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)

לָקַ֖חַת5 of 22

“not to take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת6 of 22
H853

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

יְבִמְתּ֨וֹ7 of 22

“his brother's wife”

H2994

a sister-in-law

וְעָֽלְתָה֩8 of 22

“go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

יְבִמְתּ֨וֹ9 of 22

“his brother's wife”

H2994

a sister-in-law

הַשַּׁ֜עְרָה10 of 22

“to the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֶל11 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים12 of 22

“unto the elders”

H2205

old

וְאָֽמְרָה֙13 of 22

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֵאֵ֨ן14 of 22

“refuseth”

H3985

to refuse

יְבָמִ֜י15 of 22

“My husband's brother”

H2993

a brotherin-law

לְהָקִ֨ים16 of 22

“to raise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לְאָחִ֥יו17 of 22

“unto his brother”

H251

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

שֵׁם֙18 of 22

“a name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל19 of 22

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֹ֥א20 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָבָ֖ה21 of 22

“he will”

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

יַבְּמִֽי׃22 of 22

“not perform the duty of my husband's brother”

H2992

to marry a (deceased) brother's widow

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 25:7 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 25:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 4:5-6Ruth 4:1-2

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