Deuteronomy 19:21
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.

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.

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."

Majority Standard Bible
You must show no 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.

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 Version
And your eye does 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 Bible
21Thou 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 Bible
And 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 1917
And 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



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
Exodus 21:23-25
But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life— / eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, / burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe.

Leviticus 24:19-20
If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: / fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / 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.”

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Exodus 21:12
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.

Numbers 35:16-21
If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. ...

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.


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: …

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Deuteronomy 19
1. The cities of refuge
4. 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
This phrase underscores the principle of justice that is central to the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew root for "pity" is "חוס" (chus), which conveys a sense of sparing or showing compassion. In the context of ancient Israel, this command was intended to ensure that justice was administered fairly and without partiality. It reflects the seriousness with which God views justice and the importance of maintaining order and righteousness within the community. The absence of pity in this context is not a call for cruelty but a directive to uphold justice without allowing personal emotions to interfere with the equitable application of the law.

life for life
The phrase "life for life" is a direct reference to the principle of retributive justice, often referred to as lex talionis. This principle is rooted in the Hebrew word "נפש" (nephesh), meaning "soul" or "life." It emphasizes the value of human life and the necessity of proportionate justice. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, this principle was a common legal standard, ensuring that the punishment fit the crime. It served as a deterrent against excessive retribution and was a means to maintain societal balance and justice.

eye for eye
This phrase is part of the broader lex talionis principle, emphasizing proportional justice. The Hebrew word for "eye" is "עין" (ayin), which not only refers to the physical organ but also symbolizes insight and understanding. In the context of the law, this phrase ensured that justice was not only fair but also visible and understandable to the community. It was a way to prevent escalation of violence and to promote a sense of fairness and equity in legal proceedings.

tooth for tooth
The phrase "tooth for tooth" continues the theme of proportional justice. The Hebrew word "שן" (shen) for "tooth" signifies not just the physical aspect but also the idea of strength and sustenance, as teeth are essential for eating and survival. This part of the law ensured that personal injuries were compensated in a manner that was just and equitable, preventing the cycle of vengeance and promoting a structured legal system.

hand for hand
The phrase "hand for hand" highlights the importance of fair recompense for injury or loss. The Hebrew word "יד" (yad) for "hand" is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent power, action, and possession. In the context of this law, it underscores the need for justice that is tangible and measurable, ensuring that any loss of ability or livelihood due to injury is addressed appropriately within the community.

foot for foot
The final phrase "foot for foot" completes the series of examples illustrating the principle of lex talionis. The Hebrew word "רגל" (regel) for "foot" can symbolize movement, progress, and stability. This part of the law ensured that any hindrance to a person's ability to move or work was met with appropriate compensation, maintaining the balance of justice and preventing further harm or disadvantage to the injured party.

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).



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


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:21 Your eyes shall not pity (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 19:20
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