Thematic Bible: Customs connected with
Thematic Bible
Shoes » Customs connected with » A man who refused to marry a deceased brother's wife disgraced by pulling off his shoes
Then shall his brother's wife come to him in the presence of the elders and pull his shoe off his foot and spit in his face and shall answer, So shall it be done to that man who does not build up his brother's house. And his family shall be called in Israel, The House of Him Whose Shoe Was Loosed.
Shoes » Customs connected with » The right of redemption resigned by a man's giving one of his shoes to the next of kin
Now formerly in Israel this was the custom concerning redeeming and exchanging. To confirm a transaction, a man pulled off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the way of attesting in Israel. Therefore, when the kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself, he pulled off his sandal.