Exodus 21:25 kjv

Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Exodus 21:25 nkjv

burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Exodus 21:25 niv

burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Exodus 21:25 esv

burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Exodus 21:25 nlt

a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 25 Meaning

Exodus 21:25, "burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe," is a foundational principle within the Mosaic Law's "lex talionis," or law of retaliation. This verse underscores the divine imperative for proportional justice in cases of personal injury. It demands that the penalty for an offense be equivalent to the harm inflicted, thereby setting a maximum limit on retribution rather than encouraging excessive vengeance. Its purpose was to prevent cycles of escalating retaliation, ensuring equity and upholding the sanctity of human life and well-being within the community.

Exodus 21 25 Context

Exodus 21:25 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), which outlines the specific statutes given to Moses immediately after the Ten Commandments. The immediate context of verses 22-25 deals with injuries inflicted during altercations, particularly concerning a pregnant woman. If two men fighting cause a pregnant woman to miscarry, there is a fine; but if further harm comes to her or the child, the lex talionis of life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe applies. Historically and culturally, this law was revolutionary. In ancient Near Eastern societies, vengeance often knew no limits and could be applied disproportionately or differ based on social status (as seen in the Code of Hammurabi, where penalties varied for nobles versus commoners or slaves). The Mosaic Law, however, established an egalitarian system where justice was applied equally to all, limiting retaliation to exact equivalence and preventing the unchecked blood feuds common in many societies, thus introducing a measure of fairness and controlled justice.

Exodus 21 25 Word analysis

• burn (כוויה, kawwiyah): Derived from a root meaning "to brand" or "cauterize." It refers to a deep, possibly permanent, mark or injury caused by fire or heat. Its inclusion implies serious and lasting harm, suggesting that even significant injuries required proportionate recompense.
• for (תַּחַת, tachat): Literally means "under" or "instead of." In this context, it denotes strict equivalence and substitution. It emphasizes that the penalty must directly replace or compensate for the injury, not exceed it. This single word is crucial for understanding the concept of precise proportionality.
• wound (פֶּצַע, petsa‘): A general term for an open wound, cut, or gash. It implies a laceration or breaking of the skin, encompassing various non-fatal but debilitating injuries. The specific inclusion indicates the breadth of bodily harms that fall under this principle of justice.
• stripe (חַבּוּרָה, chabburah): Refers to a bruise, welt, or contusion, often from a blow. This type of injury is usually less severe than a "burn" or "wound" but still painful and visible. Its presence ensures that even lesser bodily harms, not just life-threatening ones, are covered by the principle of equal recompense.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe: This repetitive structure is a powerful literary device known as chiasmus (though not perfectly here) or parallelism, emphasizing absolute reciprocity. It reinforces the central idea of equal, direct, and limited retaliation. The enumeration of different types of injuries demonstrates the comprehensive scope of this law, applying it to various forms of bodily harm. The progressive intensity of the injuries (from a surface "stripe" to a lasting "burn") also highlights the comprehensive application of the proportional principle. This phrasing serves as a maximum ceiling on retaliation, designed to curb private vengeance and introduce a regulated, equitable system of justice within the community.

Exodus 21 25 Bonus section

The concept of lex talionis as presented in Exodus 21:25 represents a critical step in God's revelation of justice. It served as an educational tool for Israel, teaching them the intrinsic value of human life and body, created in God's image, and that harming another carries a precise and serious consequence. This Old Testament principle of retributive justice contrasts with later abuses of the concept that led to personal vendettas, which Jesus directly addressed by teaching love and forgiveness in the New Testament (Matt 5:38-39). This does not negate the Mosaic law for its time or its role in establishing societal order, but rather elevates the spiritual application for individual believers, calling them to a higher standard of love and mercy, reflecting the character of God who, though just, is also merciful. The civil application of this law paved the way for modern legal systems where punishment aims to fit the crime, illustrating its timeless impact on legal thought.

Exodus 21 25 Commentary

Exodus 21:25, along with the preceding verses of lex talionis, functions not as a divine command for individuals to personally extract vengeance, but as a judicial standard for a just society. Its primary purpose was to restrict limitless revenge by mandating proportionality. Without such a law, blood feuds and escalating cycles of violence could easily decimate communities. Therefore, it acted as a compassionate limit, preventing a minor injury from resulting in death or excessive retribution. In practice, this "eye for an eye" principle in ancient Israel was often applied monetarily, especially for lesser injuries, as elaborated in later Jewish legal traditions (Mishnah), which enumerated five categories of damages for bodily injury (pain, medical expenses, loss of time, degradation, injury itself). This indicates that the law prioritized just compensation and rehabilitation over brutal exactitude. While seemingly harsh, it was a step toward civilized justice, establishing equity for all before the law and protecting the accused from excessive punishment, thus reflecting God's order and justice in a fallen world.