Deuteronomy 25:11
New International Version
If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts,

New Living Translation
“If two Israelite men get into a fight and the wife of one tries to rescue her husband by grabbing the testicles of the other man,

English Standard Version
“When men fight with one another and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of him who is beating him and puts out her hand and seizes him by the private parts,

Berean Standard Bible
If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,

King James Bible
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

New King James Version
“If two men fight together, and the wife of one draws near to rescue her husband from the hand of the one attacking him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by the genitals,

New American Standard Bible
“If two men, a man and his countryman, have a fight with each other, and the wife of one comes up to save her husband from the hand of the one who is hitting him, and she reaches out with her hand and grasps that man’s genitals,

NASB 1995
“If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals,

NASB 1977
“If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals,

Legacy Standard Bible
“If two men, a man and his brother, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and she puts out her hand and seizes his genitals,

Amplified Bible
“If [two] men, a man and his countryman, are fighting and the wife of one approaches to rescue her husband from the man who is striking him, and she reaches out with her hand and grabs the aggressor’s genitals,

Christian Standard Bible
“If two men are fighting with each other, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she puts out her hand and grabs his genitals,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If two men are fighting with each other, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she puts out her hand and grabs his genitals,

American Standard Version
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets;

Contemporary English Version
If two men are fighting, and the wife of one man tries to rescue her husband by grabbing the other man's private parts,

English Revised Version
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what you must do when two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from the man who is beating him. If she tries to stop the fight by grabbing the other man's genitals,

Good News Translation
"If two men are having a fight and the wife of one tries to help her husband by grabbing hold of the other man's genitals,

International Standard Version
"If two men are fighting together, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband from the grasp of his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes his genitals,

Majority Standard Bible
If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,

NET Bible
If two men get into a hand-to-hand fight, and the wife of one of them gets involved to help her husband against his attacker, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,

New Heart English Bible
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts forth her hand, and takes him by the private parts;

Webster's Bible Translation
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband from the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:

World English Bible
When men strive against each other, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts out her hand, and grabs him by his private parts,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When men strive together with one another, and the wife of one has drawn near to deliver her husband out of the hand of his striker, and has put forth her hand, and laid hold on his private parts,

Young's Literal Translation
'When men strive together, one with another, and the wife of the one hath drawn near to deliver her husband out of the hand of his smiter, and hath put forth her hand, and laid hold on his secrets,

Smith's Literal Translation
When men shall strive together, a man and his brother, and the wife of the one come near to deliver her husband from him smiting him, and she stretched forth her hand and held fast by his secrets:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If two men have words together, and one begin to fight against the other, and the other's wife willing to deliver her husband out of the hand of the stronger, shall put forth her hand, and take him by the secrets,

Catholic Public Domain Version
If two men have a conflict between themselves, and one begins to do violence to the other, and if the other’s wife, wanting to rescue her husband from the hand of the stronger one, extends her hand and grasps him by his private parts,

New American Bible
When two men are fighting and the wife of one intervenes to save her husband from the blows of his opponent, if she stretches out her hand and seizes the latter by his genitals,

New Revised Standard Version
If men get into a fight with one another, and the wife of one intervenes to rescue her husband from the grip of his opponent by reaching out and seizing his genitals,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When two brothers are fighting, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hands of his adversary, and puts forth her hand, and seizes him by the private parts;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man and his brother fight with one another and the wife of one of them will come near to save her husband from the hands of him who is fighting with him, and she reaches her hand and she seizes on his genitals
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if men should strive together, a man with his brother, and the wife of one of them should advance to rescue her husband out of the hand of him that smites him, and she should stretch forth her hand, and take hold of his private parts;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Widowhood and Marriage
10And his family name in Israel will be called “The House of the Unsandaled.” 11If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals, 12you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity.…

Cross References
Exodus 21:22-25
If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows. / But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life— / eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ...

Leviticus 24:19-20
If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: / fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

1 Corinthians 6:1-8
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...

Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Galatians 5:14-15
The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Luke 6:29-31
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. / Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. / Do to others as you would have them do to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.


Treasury of Scripture

When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draws near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smites him, and puts forth her hand, and takes him by the secrets:

to deliver her husband

Romans 3:8
And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Jump to Previous
Beating Countryman Deliver Draweth Draws Hand Husband Laid Parts Private Puts Putteth Reaches Rescue Secrets Seize Seizes Smiter Smiteth Stretch Strikes Striking Strive Struggling Together Wife
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Beating Countryman Deliver Draweth Draws Hand Husband Laid Parts Private Puts Putteth Reaches Rescue Secrets Seize Seizes Smiter Smiteth Stretch Strikes Striking Strive Struggling Together Wife
Deuteronomy 25
1. Punishment must not exceed forty lashes
4. 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














If two men are fighting
This phrase sets the scene for a physical altercation between two men. In the Hebrew context, the word for "fighting" (נָצָה, natsah) implies a struggle or contention. This reflects the reality of human conflict and the need for societal laws to manage disputes. The Bible often addresses human conflict, emphasizing the importance of justice and order within the community.

and the wife of one man
The mention of the wife highlights the familial and protective instincts inherent in human relationships. In ancient Israelite society, the family unit was central, and the wife's role was significant in maintaining the household. Her involvement in the conflict underscores her loyalty and the lengths she might go to protect her husband.

comes to rescue her husband
The Hebrew word for "rescue" (נָצַל, natsal) conveys the idea of delivering or saving. This action reflects the wife's courage and determination to protect her spouse. It also illustrates the biblical principle of standing by one's family and loved ones, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture.

from his assailant
The term "assailant" indicates an aggressor or attacker. In the context of ancient Israel, personal disputes could escalate quickly, and the law provided guidelines to ensure fairness and justice. The presence of an assailant in this narrative highlights the potential for harm and the need for intervention.

and she reaches out
This phrase suggests a deliberate and intentional action. The Hebrew verb used here (שָׁלַח, shalach) means to send or stretch out. It implies a proactive step taken by the wife, emphasizing her active role in the situation. This action is a physical manifestation of her intent to protect her husband.

and seizes him
The act of seizing (תָּפַשׂ, taphas) indicates a firm grip or hold. This word choice underscores the seriousness of the wife's intervention. In biblical law, actions and their consequences were taken seriously, and this act of seizing is no exception, as it leads to specific legal repercussions.

by his private parts
This phrase is explicit and denotes a sensitive area of the body, highlighting the severity and inappropriateness of the wife's action. In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, such an act would be considered a grave violation of personal dignity. The specificity of this action in the law underscores the importance of maintaining respect and decorum, even in moments of conflict.

Verses 11, 12. - But though the childless widow might thus approach and lay hold on the man, no license was thus granted to women to pass beyond the bounds of decency in their approaches to the other sex. Hence the prohibition in these verses. The severe sentence here prescribed was by the rabbins commuted into a fine of the value of the hand.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

two men
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

are fighting,
יִנָּצ֨וּ (yin·nā·ṣū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5327: To go forth, to be expelled, desolate, to lay waste, to quarrel

and the wife
אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of one
הָֽאֶחָ֔ד (hā·’e·ḥāḏ)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

steps in
וְקָֽרְבָה֙ (wə·qā·rə·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

to rescue
לְהַצִּ֥יל (lə·haṣ·ṣîl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

her husband
אִישָׁ֖הּ (’îš·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from
מִיַּ֣ד (mî·yaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

the one striking him,
מַכֵּ֑הוּ (mak·kê·hū)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

and she reaches out
וְשָׁלְחָ֣ה (wə·šā·lə·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

her hand
יָדָ֔הּ (yā·ḏāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and grabs
וְהֶחֱזִ֖יקָה (wə·he·ḥĕ·zî·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

his genitals,
בִּמְבֻשָֽׁיו׃ (bim·ḇu·šāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4016: Private parts, genitalia


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:11 When men strive together one with another (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 25:10
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