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;
Then the elders of his city will call him and talk to him about it. If he still refuses and says, 'I don't want to marry her,'
This verse describes community elders intervening to encourage a man to fulfill his duty to marry his deceased brother's widow, but acknowledging he might still refuse.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, laws like levirate marriage were established to protect widows and ensure a deceased man's family line and inheritance continued, as family legacy was vital for social and economic stability. This specific verse is part of a process where the elders of the city would summon a man obligated to marry his brother's widow if the brother had died childless, to address any reluctance on his part. It reflects the community's role in upholding these customs to maintain order and justice.
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