King James Version
Deuteronomy 25:8 in the King James Version says “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;” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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;”
Deuteronomy 25:8 · KJV
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.
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
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 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.
And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“shall call”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
“of his city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
“him and speak”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
“unto him and if he stand”
H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“I like”
H2654properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
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.
Deuteronomy 25:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Deuteronomy 25:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge