Loose his shoe — 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 as a note of infamy, to signify that by this disingenuous action he was unworthy to be amongst free — men, and fit to be reduced to the condition of the meanest servants, who used to go barefoot, Isaiah 20:2, Isaiah 20:4.
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.