5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no son, the wife of the dead shall not marry a stranger abroad: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him as wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn that she beareth shall stand in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name be not blotted out from Israel. 7 But if the man like not to take his brother's wife, his brother's wife shall 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 for me the duty of a husband's brother. 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak unto him; and if he stand to it and say, I like not to take her; 9 then shall his brother's wife come near to him before the eyes of the elders, and draw his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto the man that will not build up his brother's house. 10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe drawn off. 11 When men fight together one with another, and the wife of the one come near to rescue her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and stretch out her hand, and seize him by his secret parts, 12 thou shalt cut off her hand; thine eye shall not spare.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-12
Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-12
(Read Deuteronomy 25:5-12)
The custom here regulated seems to have been in the Jewish law in order to keep inheritances distinct; now it is unlawful.