Deuteronomy 25:12
New International Version
you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.

New Living Translation
you must cut off her hand. Show her no pity.

English Standard Version
then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.

Berean Standard Bible
you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity.

King James Bible
Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.

New King James Version
then you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall not pity her.

New American Standard Bible
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.

NASB 1995
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.

NASB 1977
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.

Legacy Standard Bible
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.

Amplified Bible
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity [for her].

Christian Standard Bible
you are to cut off her hand. Do not show pity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
you are to cut off her hand. You must not show pity.”

American Standard Version
then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall have no pity.

Contemporary English Version
you must cut off her hand. Don't have any mercy.

English Revised Version
then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall have no pity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
cut off her hand. Have no pity on her.

Good News Translation
show her no mercy; cut off her hand.

International Standard Version
you are to cut off her hand. Don't show any pity."

Majority Standard Bible
you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity.

NET Bible
then you must cut off her hand--do not pity her.

New Heart English Bible
then you shall cut off her hand, your eye shall have no pity.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thy eye shall not pity her.

World English Bible
then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then you have cut off her hand; your eye does not spare.

Young's Literal Translation
then thou hast cut off her hand, thine eye doth not spare.

Smith's Literal Translation
And cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt cut off her hand, neither shalt thou be moved with any pity in her regard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then you shall cut off her hand. Neither shall you weep over her with any mercy.

New American Bible
you shall chop off her hand; show no pity.

New Revised Standard Version
you shall cut off her hand; show no pity.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then you shall cut off her hand; your eye shall not pity her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Cut off her hand and do not let your eye have pity on her.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall have no pity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
thou shalt cut off her hand; thine eye shall not spare her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Widowhood and Marriage
11If two men are fighting, and the wife of one steps in to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals, 12you are to cut off her hand. You must show her no pity.

Cross References
Exodus 21:24-25
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 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / 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 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

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.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

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

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Exodus 22:1-4
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. ...

Numbers 15:30-31
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people. / He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”

1 Corinthians 6:7-8
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? / Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!

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

Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then you shall cut off her hand, your eye shall not pity her.

Deuteronomy 19:13,21
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…

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Deuteronomy 25
1. Punishment must not exceed forty lashes
4. The ox is not to be muzzled
5. Of raising seed unto a brother
11. Of the immodest woman
13. Of unjust weights and measures
17. The memory of Amalek is to be blotted out














you are to cut off her hand.
This directive is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, reflecting the seriousness with which God viewed the preservation of family lineage and honor. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the hand was often symbolic of power and action. The act of cutting off a hand was a severe punishment, indicating the gravity of the offense. This law was intended to deter women from intervening in a physical altercation between men in a way that would bring shame or harm. The punishment reflects the cultural and legal norms of the time, where physical retribution was a common form of justice. This law also underscores the importance of maintaining order and respect within the community, as well as the protection of male honor and dignity.

You must show her no pity.
The command to show no pity emphasizes the necessity of upholding justice without partiality or emotional interference. In the broader biblical context, this reflects the principle that God's laws are to be followed strictly, without allowing personal feelings to compromise justice. This phrase highlights the importance of impartiality in the administration of justice, a theme that is consistent throughout the Old Testament. It also serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and the need for His people to adhere to His commandments. The absence of pity in this context is not a call for cruelty but rather an insistence on the fair and consistent application of the law. This principle can be seen in other parts of Scripture, such as in the teachings of Jesus, where justice and mercy are balanced according to God's will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The audience receiving the law, God's chosen people, preparing to enter the Promised Land.

3. The Woman
A hypothetical figure in the law who intervenes in a fight between two men.

4. The Man
The husband or relative of the man being attacked, whose honor and rights are being defended.

5. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, where the Israelites are to live according to God's laws.
Teaching Points
Understanding Context
This law was given in a specific cultural and historical context where honor and family rights were paramount. It reflects the seriousness of maintaining social order and justice.

Principle of Justice
The law emphasizes the importance of justice and proportionality. It serves as a deterrent against taking the law into one's own hands and ensures that punishment fits the crime.

Mercy and Forgiveness
While the Old Testament law is strict, the New Testament calls believers to a higher standard of mercy and forgiveness, as taught by Jesus.

Respect for Others
The passage underscores the importance of respecting others' rights and boundaries, a principle that remains relevant today.

Application in Modern Context
While the specific punishment is not applicable today, the underlying principles of justice, respect, and order are timeless and can guide Christian conduct.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
you are to cut off
וְקַצֹּתָ֖ה (wə·qaṣ·ṣō·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7112: To chop off

her hand.
כַּפָּ֑הּ (kap·pāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

You must show her no pity.
תָח֖וֹס (ṯā·ḥō·ws)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2347: To pity, look upon with compassion


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 25:12 Then you shall cut off her hand (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 25:11
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