Deuteronomy 25

Deuteronomy 25:1

COntroversie] This sheweth, that here is chiefly treated of criminall causes: Justifie] Absolve him, and pronounce him guiltlesse, and also to adjudge and give unto him, that which the Law appointeth.

Deuteronomy 25:3

Fourty] By the 2 Corinthians 11:24. you may see that the Jews used to give but nine and thirthy stripes, having made the number lesse by one, for to containe themselves, so much the better within the number which was set down: Seeme vile] that is to say, too unworthily handled without respect of humanity, which should not suffer him to be used like a beast, and to fellowship of religion, which requireth mercy, as towards a child of Gods houshold, and a brother on the same side.

Deuteronomy 25:5

Dwell] Are not yet divided into severall housholds, having not married each one a wife, and living together under the head of the family, namely, the father or the elder brother: This thing was in use before Moses time by custome, Genesis 38:8. but here it is established by law; Her husbands brother] the next in degree of birth to him that is dead, or for want of such a one, another brother, or the nearest kinsman, so that he be not a married man, see Rth 4:5. Now God in this case restraineth by his supreame power the Law of Lev 18:16.

Deuteronomy 25:6

Shall succeed] The Italian, Shall be borne] that is to say, shall come into the world baring the name of him that is dead, and having right to represent his person, as his own child.

Deuteronomy 25:7

To raise] To cause his memory to revive by a child begotten in his name, that his memory may not be extinguished.

Deuteronomy 25:8

Stand to it] And persist in his saying.

Deuteronomy 25:9

Loose his shoe] In signe that she doth strip him of all the right which he might pretend in the goods of the deceased, which she will transfer upon another kinsman that will marry her, and beget upon her a successor to him, whose name he must beare: And spit] in token that as he scorneth to take her to wife, so she renounceth him for ever: Build] A Scripture phrase, which signifieth the begeting of issue, and by that meanes the establishment and preservation of a family, see 1 King. 11. 38. 1 Chronicles 17:25.

Deuteronomy 25:13

A great] To buy with and a small to sel by.

Deuteronomy 25:14

Measures] The Italian hath Epha’s] a measure for dry things.

Deuteronomy 25:18

Feeble] Sicke, impotent and old, which came softly after the campe.