King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And thine eye shall not pity; [but] life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Show no pity: 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.
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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thine eye{H5869} shall not pity{H2347}; but life{H5315} shall go for life{H5315}, eye{H5869} for eye{H5869}, tooth{H8127} for tooth{H8127}, hand{H3027} for hand{H3027}, foot{H7272} for foot{H7272}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 5:38
- ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Matthew 5:39
- But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Exodus 21:23
- And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Exodus 21:25
- Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
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.
Leviticus 24:17
- And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 24:21
- And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 19:21
Deuteronomy 19:21 is part of a section in the book of Deuteronomy that outlines various laws for the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse is situated within a broader legal framework that includes instructions on the treatment of witnesses in legal matters (Deuteronomy 19:15-20) and the establishment of cities of refuge for those who commit unintentional manslaughter (Deuteronomy 19:1-14).
The specific theme of Deuteronomy 19:21 is that of retributive justice, often referred to by the Latin phrase "lex talionis," or the law of retaliation. This principle was meant to ensure fairness in punishment, limiting revenge by making the punishment proportionate to the crime. The phrase "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" encapsulates the idea that the punishment should correspond directly to the injury caused: no more, no less.
In its historical context, this law was actually progressive for its time, as it sought to prevent the escalation of blood feuds and ensure that punishments were not excessively cruel or disproportionate to the offense. It was a call for measured justice rather than uncontrolled vengeance. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ would challenge this principle, teaching instead the ethic of forgiveness and non-retaliation (Matthew 5:38-42), emphasizing restoration and mercy over strict retribution.
The broader message of Deuteronomy 19:21 is one of justice and equity, reminding the community that the legal system should be fair and impartial, with laws applying equally to all. It also serves as a reminder of the value of human life and the seriousness with which violence and false witness should be regarded within a society governed by divine law.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H2347
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוּס
Transliteration: chûwç
Pronunciation: khoos
Description: a primitive root; properly, to cover, i.e. (figuratively) to compassionate; pity, regard, spare. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H8127
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁן
Transliteration: shên
Pronunciation: shane
Description: from שָׁנַן; compare שֶׁנְהַבִּים; a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff; crag, [idiom] forefront, ivory, [idiom] sharp, tooth. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H7272
There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶגֶל
Transliteration: regel
Pronunciation: reh'-gel
Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time.