Deuteronomy 25

“If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;” Naming Amalek and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.