Keraia
Deuteronomy 19

Deuteronomy 19:21

The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses · Deuteronomy 19:15–21
Read Deuteronomy 19

Translations

Modern
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.
Traditional
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Literal
And your eye shall not pity: Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Latin
Non misereberis ejus, sed animam pro anima, oculum pro oculo, dentem pro dente, manum pro manu, pedem pro pede exiges.

Original

Hebrew
English
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Notes

Deuteronomy 19:21

The legal principle described as life for life is known as lex talionis (“law of retaliation”). This means the punishment must match the crime (see Exodus 21:23; Leviticus 24:20). It should not be too weak or too harsh.

Appropriate punishment is a necessary function of government (compare Romans 13:1–7). It helped maintain Israel’s spiritual integrity as God’s people (see study note on Deuteronomy 17:7).

But vengeance belongs to God, not individuals (see 1 Samuel 25:26, 33; Matthew 5:38–39; 1 Corinthians 6:1–8).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Parallels

Matthew 18:15–20

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Hammurabi, Law Code of Witness

Topics

Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Evidence: Laws Concerning Pity: Not to be Shown to offenders Punishments were Inflicted without Pity Punishments: Secondary Kinds of Retaliation or Injuring According to the Injury Done Retaliation: General Scriptures Concerning Slander: Punishment For