Loose his shoe; partly as a sign of his resignation of all his right to the woman, and to her husband's inheritance; for as the shoe was a sign of one's power and right, Psalms 60:8, Psalms 108:9; so the parting with the shoe was a token of the alienation of such right, and that he would not, and henceforth might not, enter upon his brother's land; and partly as a note of infamy, to signify that by this unnatural and disingenuous action he was unworthy to be amongst free-men, and fit to be reduced to the condition of the meanest servants or captives, who used to go barefoot, Isaiah 20:2,4. Spit in his face, as a return of his contempt upon himself. See Numbers 12:14 Isaiah 1:6 Isaiah 26:67; Isaiah 27:30. This was not done, Rth 4, either because he was not a brother, but a remoter kinsman, and so deserved less shame; or because Ruth did not prosecute him to the utmost, but freely consented to this exchange. Build up; a phrase oft used for the procreation of children, and the increase of a family. See Genesis 16:2 Exodus 1:21 1 Kings 11:38 1 Chronicles 17:25.
Related Commentaries of Deuteronomy 25:9
Deuteronomy 25:9
9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.