Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to carry on his brother’s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.” New Living Translation “But if the man refuses to marry his brother’s widow, she must go to the town gate and say to the elders assembled there, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel—he refuses to fulfill the duties of a brother-in-law by marrying me.’ English Standard Version And if the man does not wish to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ Berean Standard Bible But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ New American Standard Bible But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s widow, then his brother’s widow shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ NASB 1995 “But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ NASB 1977 “But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ Legacy Standard Bible But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ Amplified Bible But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s [widowed] wife, then she shall go up to the gate [of the city, where court is held] to the elders, and say, ‘My brother-in-law refuses to continue his brother’s name in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother.’ Christian Standard Bible But if the man doesn’t want to marry his sister-in-law, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, ‘My brother-in-law refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He isn’t willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible But if the man doesn’t want to marry his sister-in-law, she must go to the elders at the city gate and say, ‘My brother-in-law refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He isn’t willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.’ American Standard Version And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then 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 the duty of a husband's brother unto me. Contemporary English Version But suppose the brother refuses to marry the widow. She must go to a meeting of the town leaders at the town gate and say, "My husband died without having a son to carry on his name. And my husband's brother refuses to marry me so I can have a son." English Revised Version And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then 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 the duty of an husband's brother unto me. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if the man doesn't want to marry his brother's widow, she must go to the leaders of the city at the city gate. She must say, "My brother-in-law refuses to let his brother's name continue in Israel. He doesn't want to do his duty as my brother-in-law." Good News Translation 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.' International Standard Version But if the man does not want to marry his brother's widow, then she must go to the elders at the city gate and declare, 'My husband's brother refuses to perform the duty of a brother-in-law in order to preserve the name of his brother in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law.' Majority Standard Bible But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” NET Bible But if the man does not want to marry his brother's widow, then she must go to the elders at the town gate and say, "My husband's brother refuses to preserve his brother's name in Israel; he is unwilling to perform the duty of a brother-in-law to me!" New Heart English Bible If the man doesn't want to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, "My husband's brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me." Webster's Bible Translation And if the man shall not like to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. World English Bible If the man doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if the man does not delight to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife has gone up to the gate, to the elderly, and said, My husband’s brother is refusing to raise up a name for his brother in Israel; he has not been willing to perform the duty of my husband’s brother; Young's Literal Translation 'And if the man doth not delight to take his brother's wife, then hath his brother's wife gone up to the gate, unto the elders, and said, My husband's brother is refusing to raise up to his brother a name in Israel; he hath not been willing to perform the duty of my husband's brother; Smith's Literal Translation And if the man shall not desire to take his brother's wife, and his brother's wife went up to the gate to the old men, and said, My husband's brother refused to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, and he would not act my husband's brother. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if he will not take his brother's wife, who by law belongeth to him, the woman shall go to the gate of the city, and call upon the ancients, and say: My husband's brother refuseth to raise up his brother's name in Israel: and will not take me to wife. Catholic Public Domain Version But if he is not willing to take his brother’s wife, who by law must go to him, the woman shall go to the gate of the city, and she shall call upon those greater by birth, and she shall say: ‘The brother of my husband is not willing to raise up his brother’s name in Israel; nor will he join with me.’ New American Bible But if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go up to the elders at the gate and say, “My brother-in-law refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel and does not intend to perform his duty toward me.” New Revised Standard Version But if the man has no desire to marry his brother’s widow, then his brother’s widow shall go up to the elders at the gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to perpetuate his brother’s name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if the man refuses to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My brother-in-law refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, and is unwilling to take me as a wife. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if a man does not want to take the wife of his brother, the wife of his brother shall go up to the gate to the Elders and she shall say: 'My husband's brother does not want to establish his brother's name in Israel and does not want to marry me'. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then 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 the duty of a husband's brother unto me.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And if the man should not be willing to take his brother's wife, then shall the woman go up to the gate to the elders, and she shall say, My husband's brother will not raise up the name of his brother in Israel, my husband's brother has refused. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Widowhood and Marriage…6The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. 7But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” 8Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,”… Cross References Ruth 4:5-10 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ... Matthew 22:24-28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ... Mark 12:19-23 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ... Luke 20:28-33 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless. / Then the second ... Genesis 38:8-10 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” / But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. / What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well. Numbers 27:1-11 Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached / the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, / “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. ... Numbers 36:6-9 This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. / No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. / Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. ... Ruth 3:9-13 “Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, for you are a kinsman-redeemer.” / Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. / And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character. ... Ruth 4:1-4 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. / Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. / And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our brother Elimelech. ... 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. 1 Timothy 5:14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. Genesis 24:3-4 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, / but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:7-8 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. / And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” Genesis 24:37-38 My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, / but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’ Leviticus 25:25 If your brother becomes impoverished and sells some of his property, his nearest of kin may come and redeem what his brother has sold. Treasury of Scripture And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. Jump to Previous Brother's Desire Duty Elders Establish Husband's Israel Perform Raise Refuses Refuseth Want Wife WillingJump to Next Brother's Desire Duty Elders Establish Husband's Israel Perform Raise Refuses Refuseth Want Wife WillingDeuteronomy 25 1. Punishment must not exceed forty lashes4. The ox is not to be muzzled 5. Of raising seed unto a brother 11. Of the immodest woman 13. Of unjust weights and measures 17. The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out But if the man does not want to marry This phrase introduces a conditional situation where the man, the brother-in-law, chooses not to fulfill the levirate marriage obligation. The Hebrew root here is "lo" (לֹא), meaning "not," indicating a deliberate choice or refusal. In ancient Israel, this was a significant decision, as levirate marriage was a duty to ensure the deceased brother's lineage and property remained within the family. The refusal could be seen as a failure to uphold familial and communal responsibilities. his brother’s widow she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.’ Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But ifוְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the man הָאִ֔ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person does not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no want יַחְפֹּץ֙ (yaḥ·pōṣ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire to marry לָקַ֖חַת (lā·qa·ḥaṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3947: To take his brother’s widow, יְבִמְתּ֑וֹ (yə·ḇim·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2994: A sister-in-law she יְבִמְתּ֨וֹ (yə·ḇim·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2994: A sister-in-law is to go וְעָלְתָה֩ (wə·‘ā·lə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the elders הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים (haz·zə·qê·nîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2205: Old at the city gate הַשַּׁ֜עְרָה (haš·ša‘·rāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate and say, וְאָֽמְרָה֙ (wə·’ā·mə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “My husband’s brother יְבָמִ֜י (yə·ḇā·mî) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 2993: Husband's brother refuses מֵאֵ֨ין (mê·’ên) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3985: To refuse to preserve לְהָקִ֨ים (lə·hā·qîm) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand his brother’s לְאָחִ֥יו (lə·’ā·ḥîw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) name שֵׁם֙ (šêm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8034: A name in Israel. בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc He is not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no willing אָבָ֖ה (’ā·ḇāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 14: To breathe after, to be acquiescent to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” יַבְּמִֽי׃ (yab·bə·mî) Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 2992: To perform the duty of a husband's brother Links Deuteronomy 25:7 NIVDeuteronomy 25:7 NLT Deuteronomy 25:7 ESV Deuteronomy 25:7 NASB Deuteronomy 25:7 KJV Deuteronomy 25:7 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 25:7 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 25:7 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 25:7 French Bible Deuteronomy 25:7 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:7 If the man doesn't want to take (Deut. 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