9 'Then hath his brother's wife drawn nigh unto him, before the eyes of the elders, and drawn his shoe from off his foot, and spat in his face, and answered and said, Thus it is done to the man who doth not build up the house of his brother;

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:9

Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:5-12

(Read Deuteronomy 25:5-12)

The custom here regulated seems to have been in the Jewish law in order to keep inheritances distinct; now it is unlawful.