Deuteronomy 25:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְנִגְּשָׁ֨ה
come
H5066
וְנִגְּשָׁ֨ה
come
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
1 of 22
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
לְעֵינֵ֣י
unto him in the presence
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֣י
unto him in the presence
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְחָֽלְצָ֤ה
and loose
H2502
וְחָֽלְצָ֤ה
and loose
Strong's:
H2502
Word #:
6 of 22
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
נַֽעֲלוֹ֙
his shoe
H5275
נַֽעֲלוֹ֙
his shoe
Strong's:
H5275
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְל֔וֹ
from off his foot
H7272
רַגְל֔וֹ
from off his foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
9 of 22
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
בְּפָנָ֑יו
in his face
H6440
בְּפָנָ֑יו
in his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְעָֽנְתָה֙
and shall answer
H6030
וְעָֽנְתָה֙
and shall answer
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
כָּ֚כָה
H3602
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֣ה
So shall it be done
H6213
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֣ה
So shall it be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָאִ֔ישׁ
unto that man
H376
לָאִ֔ישׁ
unto that man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 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)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִבְנֶ֖ה
that will not build up
H1129
יִבְנֶ֖ה
that will not build up
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
19 of 22
to build (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Numbers 12:14And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.Isaiah 20:2At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Job 30:10They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.Mark 10:34And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.Mark 1:7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.Matthew 27:30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.Matthew 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,John 1:27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Historical Context
Established circa 1406 BC for implementation in Israelite society. Sandals symbolized ownership and contract in ancient Near Eastern culture—removing and transferring a sandal confirmed business transactions. The public ceremony at the city gate ensured witnesses and created permanent community memory. Ruth 4:7 notes this custom persisted 'in former times in Israel,' suggesting it eventually fell into disuse as urbanization and exile disrupted tribal land tenure.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God attach public shame to legally permitted actions when those actions violate community values?
- How do symbolic actions in ceremonies (like baptism or communion) carry theological and social meaning?
- What's the difference between legal permission and moral approval, and how should this distinction guide Christians?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot—the ceremony of chalitzah (חֲלִיצָה, 'removal') publicly released both parties from levirate obligation. And spit in his face—not violent assault but ritualized contempt, probably spitting toward or before his face rather than directly on it. So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house—the declaration attached public shame to the refusal.
Removing the sandal symbolized relinquishing property rights and authority (see Ruth 4:7-8, where the sandal transaction confirmed the kinsman-redeemer's waiver). The ritual humiliation branded the refuser as prioritizing personal convenience over family duty. While the law permitted refusal, it didn't approve it—the ceremony marked his choice as dishonorable. The public nature prevented private deals and ensured clarity about inheritance rights.