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: …

Jump to Previous
Eye Eyes Hand Life Pity Show Spare Tooth
Jump to Next
Eye Eyes Hand Life Pity Show Spare Tooth
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 emphasizes the importance of justice and the need for impartiality in legal matters. In the context of ancient Israel, the judicial system was designed to reflect God's holiness and righteousness. The command to show no pity underscores the seriousness of maintaining justice and order within the community. It reflects the principle that justice should be blind to personal feelings or relationships, ensuring fairness and equality before the law.

Life for life:
This part of the verse is rooted in the principle of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, which is also found in Exodus 21:23-25 and Leviticus 24:19-20. It served as a deterrent against crime and ensured that the punishment fit the crime. In a broader biblical context, this principle points to the sanctity of life, as life is a gift from God. The ultimate fulfillment of justice and the sanctity of life is seen in Jesus Christ, who gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Eye for eye:
The phrase "eye for eye" is a call for proportional justice. It was intended to prevent excessive punishment and personal vengeance, ensuring that the response to an offense was measured and just. This principle is echoed in the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where He calls His followers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness (Matthew 5:38-39), highlighting the transformative power of grace over strict retribution.

Tooth for tooth:
This phrase continues the theme of equitable retribution. In the ancient Near Eastern context, similar laws existed in other cultures, such as the Code of Hammurabi. However, the biblical application was unique in its emphasis on justice as a reflection of God's character. The New Testament expands on this by encouraging believers to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21), pointing to a deeper understanding of justice rooted in love and mercy.

Hand for hand:
The mention of "hand for hand" indicates the importance of personal responsibility and accountability. In a society where manual labor was essential for survival, the loss of a hand would have significant implications. This underscores the seriousness of causing harm to another person and the need for restitution. The broader biblical narrative reveals that true restoration and reconciliation are found in Christ, who heals and restores broken relationships (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Foot for foot:
The final phrase in this verse reiterates the principle of proportional justice. The loss of a foot would greatly impact a person's ability to work and provide for their family, highlighting the gravity of such an injury. This principle of justice is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who, through His sacrifice, brings ultimate justice and peace (Isaiah 53:5). The call for justice in Deuteronomy points forward to the perfect justice and mercy found in the gospel.

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

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter and where these laws will be applied.

4. Judges and Officials
Appointed leaders responsible for ensuring justice and applying the law among the people.

5. Covenant Community
The collective body of Israelites bound by the covenant with God, under which these laws are given.
Teaching Points
Principle of Justice
The law emphasizes fairness and proportionality in justice, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime.

Deterrence and Order
This principle served to deter crime and maintain social order within the covenant community.

Human Limitations
Recognizes human limitations in administering perfect justice, pointing to the need for divine guidance.

Mercy and Forgiveness
While the law calls for justice, the New Testament encourages believers to practice mercy and forgiveness, reflecting God's character.

Transformation through Christ
Jesus' teachings transform the understanding of justice, calling believers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness.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


Links
Deuteronomy 19:21 NIV
Deuteronomy 19:21 NLT
Deuteronomy 19:21 ESV
Deuteronomy 19:21 NASB
Deuteronomy 19:21 KJV

Deuteronomy 19:21 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 19:21 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 19:21 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 19:21 French Bible
Deuteronomy 19:21 Catholic Bible

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