Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
20:20-21 Being left childless carried a social stigma and was considered a judgment from God (see Gen 30:1-2; Deut 7:14). What situation is envisioned in these verses? Sexual relations with a sister-in-law (Lev 18:16) or an uncle’s wife (18:14) have already been discussed. Adultery is dealt with elsewhere and would bring death to both parties (Deut 22:22). If the woman involved was a widow without a male heir, the law of levirate marriage could be invoked (Deut 25:5-6; see study note on Lev 18:16). Since those situations don’t seem to apply, it would appear that this law refers to marrying an aunt or a sister-in-law after she has been divorced from her husband. John the Baptist apparently applied this law to condemn Herod Antipas’s marriage to Herodias (see Mark 6:17-29).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
20:20-21 Being left childless carried a social stigma and was considered a judgment from God (see Gen 30:1-2; Deut 7:14). What situation is envisioned in these verses? Sexual relations with a sister-in-law (Lev 18:16) or an uncle’s wife (18:14) have already been discussed. Adultery is dealt with elsewhere and would bring death to both parties (Deut 22:22). If the woman involved was a widow without a male heir, the law of levirate marriage could be invoked (Deut 25:5-6; see study note on Lev 18:16). Since those situations don’t seem to apply, it would appear that this law refers to marrying an aunt or a sister-in-law after she has been divorced from her husband. John the Baptist apparently applied this law to condemn Herod Antipas’s marriage to Herodias (see Mark 6:17-29).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And ye shall observe all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them, that the land whither I bring you to dwell therein vomit you not out.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them; that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
“‘You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
So then, keep my rules and my decisions and do them, so that the land which I am giving you as your resting-place may not violently send you out again.