Deuteronomy 25:7

But if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife for himself, then his brother's wife must go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up for his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.'

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

6This is so that the firstborn that she bears will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother, so that his name will not perish from Israel.

8Then the elders of his city must call him and speak to him. But suppose that he insists and says, 'I do not wish to take her.'

Read all of Deuteronomy 25

Cross References

Ruth 4:2Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.

Ruth 4:11All the people who were in the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built up the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem.

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 25:6-13

Marriage of a Brother's Wife. ( b. c. 1451.) 5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her. 6 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. 7 And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Deuteronomy 25:7