In the context of the Bible, "injuring" refers to causing harm or damage to another person, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The Scriptures address the concept of injury in various ways, emphasizing the importance of justice, restitution, and the moral obligations of individuals to avoid causing harm to others.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament law provides specific guidelines regarding injury and the appropriate responses to it. In Exodus 21:23-25 , the principle of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, is outlined: "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This passage underscores the importance of proportional justice, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime.

Leviticus 24:19-20 reiterates this principle: "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." These laws were intended to limit excessive retribution and maintain social order.

The concept of restitution is also significant in the Old Testament. In Exodus 22:1 , it is stated, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." This principle extends to other forms of injury, where the offender is required to make amends for the harm caused.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament shifts the focus from retribution to forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount, challenges the traditional understanding of retaliation. In Matthew 5:38-39 , He teaches, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This radical teaching emphasizes the importance of non-retaliation and the pursuit of peace.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in 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.'" Paul encourages believers to trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of every person. Injuring another is seen as a violation of these principles. In Genesis 9:6 , the sanctity of life is emphasized: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind."

The teachings of Jesus and the apostles call for a higher standard of love and compassion. In Matthew 22:39 , Jesus commands, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment implies a proactive approach to preventing injury and promoting the well-being of others.

Practical Applications

Believers are called to be peacemakers and to seek reconciliation in situations of conflict. In Matthew 5:9 , Jesus states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." This involves actively working to resolve disputes and heal relationships.

Furthermore, Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and support those who have been injured. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the communal responsibility to care for and restore those who have suffered harm.

In summary, the biblical perspective on injuring encompasses justice, forgiveness, and the call to love and protect others. The Scriptures provide a framework for understanding the moral and ethical dimensions of injury, guiding believers in their interactions with others.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Injure.91. adikeo -- to do wrong, act wickedly
... 1), damage (1), do harm (1), do wrong (1), does wrong (2), doing...wrong (1),
done...wrong (2), harm (4), hurt (3), injure (2), injuring (1), offended (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/91.htm - 8k

Pride and Humility
... Not because the proud are injuring God, but because they are injuring themselves,
does God resist them, and bring them low, and show them what they are, and ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxiii pride and humility.htm

Whether Backbiting is Suitably Defined as the Blackening of ...
... speaking openly against someone, and the backbiter secretly; secondly, as to the
end in view, ie as regards the injury inflicted, the reviler injuring a man's ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is suitably defined.htm

Whether we Can Suffer Injustice Willingly?
... For injustice is inequality, as stated above [2867](A[2]). Now a man by injuring
himself, departs from equality, even as by injuring another. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we can suffer injustice.htm

Whether Lies are Sufficiently Divided into Officious, Jocose, and ...
... which are either against God, and then we have the lie "in religious doctrine,"
or against man, and this either with the sole intention of injuring him, and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether lies are sufficiently divided.htm

From the Seventh to the End of the Tenth Commandment
... it is certainly a much greater sin to steal his good name, which we can never restore,
and especially as we have nothing to gain from injuring his character. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 34 from the seventh.htm

Psalm CI.
... But the lover of iniquity, hateth his own soul. When he loved iniquity,
he fancied he was injuring others. But consider whether ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood,
the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... It is also a sin to risk our lives uselessly or to continue in any habit that
we are sure is injuring our health and shortening our lives. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... In the fourth mode, Ahab was prevented from injuring Elijah (1 Kings 19:3), and
the Jews, who had sworn to slay the apostle Paul, were prevented from effecting ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

National Wealth
... If we give way to ungodly pride and self-sufficiency, then we are injuring ourselves;
and not only that, but injuring our neighbours and our children after us ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xvi national wealth.htm

Injuring (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Injure. Multi-Version
Concordance Injuring (4 Occurrences). Luke 4:35 Jesus rebuked ...
/i/injuring.htm - 7k

Injurious (8 Occurrences)

/i/injurious.htm - 9k

Violation (6 Occurrences)
... covenants, promises, etc. 2. (n.) The act of violating, treating with violence,
or injuring; the state of being violated. 3. (n.) An ...
/v/violation.htm - 8k

Weapon (21 Occurrences)
... An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight with; anything
used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating, or injuring an enemy ...
/w/weapon.htm - 14k

Injuries (1 Occurrence)

/i/injuries.htm - 6k

Director (10 Occurrences)
... slender grooved instrument upon which a knife is made to slide when it is wished
to limit the extent of motion of the latter, or prevent its injuring the parts ...
/d/director.htm - 9k

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)
... criminal. 2. (n.) One who does wrong by injuring another, although not a
criminal. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MALEFACTOR. mal ...
/m/malefactor.htm - 49k

Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... the melted metal. It is usually made of wood and in several parts, so as
to be removed from the mold without injuring it. 8. (vt ...
/p/pattern.htm - 19k

Pernicious (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive;
very mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/p/pernicious.htm - 7k

Avenge (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take vengeance for; to exact satisfaction for by punishing the injuring
party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on a wrongdoer. ...
/a/avenge.htm - 17k

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