Deuteronomy Chapter 25 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְפֹּץ֙
like
H2654
יַחְפֹּץ֙
like
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
הָאִ֔ישׁ
And if the man
H376
הָאִ֔ישׁ
And if the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 22
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)
לָקַ֖חַת
not to take
H3947
לָקַ֖חַת
not to take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
5 of 22
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְעָֽלְתָה֩
go up
H5927
וְעָֽלְתָה֩
go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לְהָקִ֨ים
to raise up
H6965
לְהָקִ֨ים
to raise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
16 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
לְאָחִ֥יו
unto his brother
H251
לְאָחִ֥יו
unto his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
17 of 22
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
שֵׁם֙
a name
H8034
שֵׁם֙
a name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
18 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
19 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God allow the brother-in-law to refuse while also creating public accountability?
- How does giving the widow legal standing and voice demonstrate God's justice for the vulnerable?
- What situations today require public accountability rather than private decisions to protect the powerless?
Analysis & 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.