Deuteronomy 25

1 When there is strife betwene men, let the come vnto the lawe, and let the iudges iustifie the rightuous and condemne the trespeaser.

2 And yf the trespeaser be worthy of strypes, then let the iudge cause to take him doune and to bete him before his face accordynge to his trespace, vnto a certayne numbre

3 .xl. stirpes he shall geue him and not passe: lest yf he shulde exceade and beate him aboue that with many stripes, thi brother shuld appere vngodly before thyne eyes.

4 Thou shalt not mosell the oxe that treadeth out the corne.

5 When brethern dwell together and one of them dye ad haue no childe, the wyfe of the deed shall not be geuen out vnto a straunger: but hir brotherlawe shall goo in vnto her and take her to wife and marie her.

6 And the eldest sonne which she beareth, shall stonde vp in the name of his brother which is deed, that his name be not put out in Israel.

7 But and yf the man will not take his systerlawe, then let her goo to the gate vnto the elders and saye: My brotherlawe refuseth to sterre vpp vnto his brother a name in Israel, he will not marie me.

8 Then let the elders of his citie call vnto him and comen with him. Yf he stonde and saye: I will not take her,

9 then let his systerlawe goo vnto him in the presence of the elders and loose his showe of his fote and spytt in his face and answere and saye. So shall it be done vnto that man that will not bylde his brothers housse.

10 And his name shalbe called in Israel, the vnshoed housse.

11 Yf when men stryue together, one with another, the wife of the one rune to, for to ryd hyr husbonde out of the handes of him that smyteth him and put forth hir hande and take him by the secrettes:

12 cutt of hir hande, and let not thine eye pitie her.

13 Thou shalt not haue in thy bagge two maner weyghtes, a greate and a small:

14 nether shalt thou haue in thine house dyuerse measures, a great ad a small.

15 But thou shalt haue a perfect ad a iust measure: that thy dayes maye be lengthed in the londe whiche the Lorde thy God geueth the,

16 For all that do soche thinges ad all that doo vnright, are abhominacion vnto the Lorde thy God.

17 Remembre what Amalech dyd vnto the by the waye after thou camest out of Egipte,

18 he mett the by the waye and smote the hynmost of you, all that were ouer laboured and dragged by hynde, when thou wast faynted and werye, and he feared not God.

19 Therfore when the Lorde thy God hath geuen the rest from all thyne enemyes rounde aboute, in the londe whiche the Lorde thy God geueth the to enheret and possesse: se that thou put out the name of Amalech from vnder heauen, ad forget not.

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.

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.