New International Version Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. New Living Translation You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. English Standard Version Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Berean Standard Bible You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. Berean Literal Bible And your eye shall not pity: Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. King James Bible And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. New King James Version Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. New American Standard Bible So you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. NASB 1995 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. NASB 1977 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Legacy Standard Bible Thus your eye shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Amplified Bible You shall not show pity [to the guilty one]: it shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Berean Annotated Bible You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth <Mat 5:38>, hand for hand, and foot for foot. Christian Standard Bible Do not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.” American Standard Version And thine eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. English Revised Version And thine eye shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. GOD'S WORD® Translation Have no pity on him: [Take] a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot. Good News Translation In such cases show no mercy; the punishment is to be a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot. International Standard Version Your eyes must not show pity—life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot." NET Bible You must not show pity; the principle will be a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot. New Heart English Bible Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Webster's Bible Translation And thy eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. World English Bible Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd your eye does not pity—life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Berean Literal Bible And your eye shall not pity: Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Young's Literal Translation and thine eye doth not pity -- life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Smith's Literal Translation And thine eye shall not pity; soul for soul, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Bible21Thou shalt not pity him, but shalt require life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not take pity on him. Instead, you shall require a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.” New American Bible Do not show pity. Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot! New Revised Standard Version Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd your eye shall not pity; but life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Your eye shall not have pity, but a life in exchange for life, an eye in exchange for an eye, a tooth in exchange for a tooth, a hand in exchange for a hand, a foot in exchange for a foot.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And thine eye shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thine eye shall not spare him: thou shalt exact life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses…20Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you. 21You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. Cross References You must show no pity: Deuteronomy 13:8 you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. Deuteronomy 25:12 you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity. Ezekiel 9:5-6 And as I listened, He said to the others, “Follow him through the city and start killing; do not show pity or spare anyone! / Slaughter the old men, the young men and maidens, the women and children; but do not go near anyone who has the mark. Now begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. life for life, Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. Exodus 21:23 But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life— Leviticus 24:17-18 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. eye for eye, Exodus 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. tooth for tooth, Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” hand for hand, Isaiah 3:11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.” Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. and foot for foot. Leviticus 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him. Treasury of Scripture And your eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. thine eye Deuteronomy 19:13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee. life shall Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, … Leviticus 24:17-21 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death… Matthew 5:38,39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: … Jump to Previous Eye Eyes Hand Life Pity Show Spare ToothJump to Next Eye Eyes Hand Life Pity Show Spare ToothDeuteronomy 19 1. The cities of refuge4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer 14. The landmark is not to be removed 15. At least two witnesses are required 16. the punishment of a false witness You must show no pity: A malicious witness was to receive the penalty he intended for the innocent person. Courts were not to let sympathy, status, or personal ties weaken judgment. Deu 13:8 you must not yield to him or listen to him.… life for life, Deliberate false testimony in a capital case carried the gravest consequence, protecting innocent life and restraining perjury. Gen 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood… eye for eye, Punishment was to correspond to the harm sought, preventing both private revenge and excessive penalties. Exo 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, tooth for tooth, The law required measured judgment, holding offenders accountable without allowing anger to govern the court. Mat 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person.… hand for hand, Injury that threatened a person’s ability to work and provide was treated seriously, reflecting the value of each member of the community. Isa 3:11 Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them!… and foot for foot. Israel’s judges were to uphold justice faithfully, since false witnesses could destroy a person’s life, livelihood, and standing. Lev 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter and where these laws will be applied. 4. Judges and Officials Appointed leaders responsible for ensuring justice and applying the law among the people. 5. Covenant Community The collective body of Israelites bound by the covenant with God, under which these laws are given. Teaching Points Principle of JusticeThe law emphasizes fairness and proportionality in justice, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. Deterrence and Order This principle served to deter crime and maintain social order within the covenant community. Human Limitations Recognizes human limitations in administering perfect justice, pointing to the need for divine guidance. Mercy and Forgiveness While the law calls for justice, the New Testament encourages believers to practice mercy and forgiveness, reflecting God's character. Transformation through Christ Jesus' teachings transform the understanding of justice, calling believers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 19:21?2. How does Deuteronomy 19:21 emphasize the importance of justice in society today? 3. What does "eye for eye" teach about proportionality in punishment? 4. How does Matthew 5:38-39 reinterpret Deuteronomy 19:21's principle? 5. In what ways can we apply "life for life" to modern justice systems? 6. How does Deuteronomy 19:21 reflect God's character of justice and fairness? 7. How does Deuteronomy 19:21 align with the concept of forgiveness in Christianity? 8. Does "eye for eye" in Deuteronomy 19:21 contradict Jesus' teachings on turning the other cheek? 9. What historical context influenced the law of retaliation in Deuteronomy 19:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 19? Verse 21. - The lex talionis was in this case to be observed (cf. Exodus 21:23; Leviticus 24:20). Practically, however, a pecuniary compensation might be accepted for the offence (cf. Josephus, 'Antiq.,' 4:8, 35).
Deuteronomy 19:21 institutes measured, equitable justice for Israel’s courts. Each phrase—life, eye, tooth, hand, foot—anchors the principle that the penalty must match the harm, neither excusing wrongdoing nor permitting excessive retaliation. By forbidding pity in verdicts, God protects society and upholds His holiness, while leaving room for personal mercy and gospel grace beyond the courtroom. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must show no pity:וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no life נֶ֣פֶשׁ (ne·p̄eš) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion for life, בְּנֶ֗פֶשׁ (bə·ne·p̄eš) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion eye עַ֤יִן (‘a·yin) Noun - common singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain for eye, בְּעַ֙יִן֙ (bə·‘a·yin) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain tooth שֵׁ֣ן (šên) Noun - common singular Strong's 8127: A tooth, ivory, a cliff for tooth, בְּשֵׁ֔ן (bə·šên) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular Strong's 8127: A tooth, ivory, a cliff hand יָ֥ד (yāḏ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3027: A hand for hand, בְּיָ֖ד (bə·yāḏ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3027: A hand [and] foot רֶ֥גֶל (re·ḡel) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda for foot. בְּרָֽגֶל׃ (bə·rā·ḡel) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda Additonal Resources Deuteronomy 19:21 Blue Letter BibleDeuteronomy 19:21 Bible Gateway Deuteronomy 19:21 Bible.com Deuteronomy 19:21 NIV |
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