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:

DEUTERONOMY 25:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 25:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 25:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 25:11 sets out a particular situation for a legal ruling: a woman intervenes in a fight to rescue her husband and grabs the other man’s genitals. The verse describes both her purpose and the specific action that brings the case under consideration.

Moses presents this case to the people of Israel as part of his instructions to them. The KJV’s “secrets” is an old-fashioned way of referring to private parts. Verse 11 states the situation; the ruling follows in verse 12.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 25:11

  • “secrets” — מְבוּשִׁים (mevushim): This word refers to the genitals. The KJV’s “secrets” uses a discreet expression where a modern reader might expect a more direct term.
  • “deliver” — נָצַל (natsal): This word means to rescue or get someone out of danger. Here, the wife’s stated aim is to get her husband away from the man striking him.

Why Deuteronomy 25:11 matters

  • The ruling concerns a specific act during a fight, not merely a wife’s attempt to help her husband. Verse 11 names both her intention to “deliver her husband” and her grabbing the other man’s private parts.
  • Verse 11 is the condition for the judgment that follows. The sentence continues into verse 12, where the penalty is stated.
  • The case involves two men fighting, with one man striking the husband when his wife approaches. That setting helps explain why the verse describes her action as an attempt to rescue him.

Where else these words appear

“strive” Hebrew H5327 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
  • Numbers 26:9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
  • Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.