Deuteronomy 25

1 "Suppose two Israelites go to court to settle a dispute, and one is declared innocent and the other guilty.

2 If the guilty one is sentenced to be beaten, the judge is to make him lie face downward and have him whipped. The number of lashes will depend on the crime he has committed.

3 He may be given as many as forty lashes, but no more; more than that would humiliate him publicly. ¹

4 "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain. ²

5 "If two brothers live on the same property and one of them dies, leaving no son, then his widow is not to be married to someone outside the family; it is the duty of the dead man's brother to marry her. ³

6 The first son that they have will be considered the son of the dead man, so that his family line will continue in Israel.

7 But if the dead man's brother does not want to marry her, she is to go before the town leaders and say, "My husband's brother will not do his duty; he refuses to give his brother a descendant among the people of Israel.' ⁴

8 Then the town leaders are to summon him and speak to him. If he still refuses to marry her,

9 his brother's widow is to go up to him in the presence of the town leaders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face, and say, "This is what happens to the man who refuses to give his brother a descendant.'

10 His family will be known in Israel as "the family of the man who had his sandal pulled off.'

11 "If two men are having a fight and the wife of one tries to help her husband by grabbing hold of the other man's genitals,

12 show her no mercy; cut off her hand.

13 "Do not cheat when you use weights and measures. ⁵

15 Use true and honest weights and measures, so that you may live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

16 The Lord hates people who cheat.

17 "Remember what the Amalekites did to you as you were coming from Egypt. ⁶

18 They had no fear of God, and so they attacked you from the rear when you were tired and exhausted, and killed all who were straggling behind.

19 So then, when the Lord your God has given you the land and made you safe from all your enemies who live around you, be sure to kill all the Amalekites, so that no one will remember them any longer. Do not forget!

Deuteronomy 25 Commentary

Chapter 25

Extent of punishment. (1-3) The ox that treadeth the corn. (4) Marriage of a brother's wife. (5-12) Of unjust weights. (13-16) War against Amalek. (17-19)

Verses 1-3 Every punishment should be with solemnity, that those who see it may be filled with dread, and be warned not to offend in like manner. And though the criminals must be shamed as well as put to pain, for their warning and disgrace, yet care should be taken that they do not appear totally vile. Happy those who are chastened of the Lord to humble them, that they should not be condemned with the world to destruction.

Verse 4 This is a charge to husbandmen. It teaches us to make much of the animals that serve us. But we must learn, not only to be just, but kind to all who are employed for the good of our ( 1 Corinthians. 9:9 )

Verses 5-12 The custom here regulated seems to have been in the Jewish law in order to keep inheritances distinct; now it is unlawful.

Verses 13-16 Dishonest gain always brings a curse on men's property, families, and souls. Happy those who judge themselves, repent of and forsake their sins, and put away evil things, that they may not be condemned of the Lord.

Verses 17-19 Let every persecutor and injurer of God's people take warning from the case of the Amalekites. The longer it is before judgement comes, the more dreadful will it be at last. Amalek may remind us of the foes of our souls. May we be enabled to slay all our lusts, all the corruptions both within and without, all the powers of darkness and of the world, which oppose our way to the blessed Saviour.

Cross References

• 1. 25.32 Corinthians 11.24.
• 2. 25.41 Corinthians 9.9;1 Timothy 5.18.
• 3. 25.5, 6Matthew 22.24;Mark 12.19;Luke 20.28.
• 4. 25.7-10Ruth 4.7, 8.
• 5. 25.13-16Leviticus 19.35, 36.
• 6. 25.17-19Exodus 17.8-14; 1 S 15.2-9.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 25

Several laws are contained in this chapter, as concerning beating such whose crimes required it, De 25:1-3; of not muzzling the ox in treading out the corn, De 25:4; of marrying a deceased brother's wife, when there was no issue, and of the disgrace of such that refused it, De 25:5-10; of the punishment of an immodest woman, De 25:11,12; and against bad weights and measures, De 25:13-16; and for the utter destruction of Amalek, De 25:17-19.