Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 19:21
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelite assembly regarding judicial procedure for false witnesses, following a warning that the congregation will hear the verdict and refrain from further evil.
The words — The Hebrew term תָּחֹס (ta.chos) literally means "to look with pity," while the repeated construct נֶפֶשׁ (ne.fesh) denotes "life" within the proportional retaliation formula.
The thread — The proportional retaliation principle runs through Exodus 21:23, where it mandates requiring a life for a life, and surfaces later in Matthew 5:38 as a known saying.
Why it lands — The text commands judges to enforce exact proportional compensation without emotional leniency, requiring the reader to apply measured justice rather than personal mercy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’
- Exodus 21:23 But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—
- Deuteronomy 19:13 You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.
- Leviticus 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.