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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 21:23 But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life--</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/02_Exo_21_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:23 - Personal Injury Laws" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life--" /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/21-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm" title="Exodus 21:22">◄</a> Exodus 21:23 <a href="/exodus/21-24.htm" title="Exodus 21:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if <i>any</i> mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But if <i>any</i> harm follows, then you shall give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if there is <i>any further</i> injury, then you shall appoint <i>as a penalty</i> life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But if there is <i>any further</i> injury, then you shall appoint <i>as a penalty</i> life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But if there is <i>any further</i> injury, then you shall pay life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if there is <i>any further</i> injury, then you shall require [as a penalty] life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If there is an injury, then you must give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if she is seriously injured, the payment will be life for life, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If anyone is injured, the offender must pay a life for a life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But if the woman herself is injured, the punishment shall be life for life, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If there is harm, then you are to require life for life, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if there is serious injury, then you will give a life for a life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if there is injury, then you must take life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if any mischief shall follow, then thou shalt give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and if there is harm [to them], then you have given life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if there is mischief, then thou hast given life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if there shall be harm, and he gave soul for soul,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if her death ensue thereupon, he shall render life for life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if her death will have followed, he will repay a life for a life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if injury ensues, you shall give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if any mischief follow, then you shall give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if there is misfortune, he will give a life in exchange for a life,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if it be perfectly formed, he shall give life for life,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5334" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Personal Injury Laws</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/611.htm" title="611: ’ā·sō·wn (N-ms) -- Mischief, evil, harm. Of uncertain derivation; hurt.">a serious injury</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">results,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·nā·ṯat·tāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">then you must require</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">a life</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nā·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">a life—</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Leviticus 24:19-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a></span><br />You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38-39</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Numbers 35:31</a></span><br />You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Matthew 7:2</a></span><br />For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-31.htm">Luke 6:31</a></span><br />Do to others as you would have them do to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-25.htm">Colossians 3:25</a></span><br />Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">James 2:13</a></span><br />For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">Isaiah 3:10-11</a></span><br />Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/13-10.htm">Revelation 13:10</a></span><br />“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if any mischief follow, then you shall give life for life,</p><p class="hdg">life for life</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Numbers 35:31</a></b></br> Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which <i>is</i> guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Further</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Life</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/exodus/21-19.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-2.htm">Penalty</a> <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Serious</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/30-16.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/numbers/14-24.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Further</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">Injury</a> <a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Life</a> <a href="/exodus/32-12.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/exodus/21-30.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-6.htm">Penalty</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-21.htm">Serious</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws for men servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">For the servant whose ear is bored</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">For women servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">For manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">For kidnappers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">For cursers of parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">For smiters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">For a hurt by chance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">For an ox that gores</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">For him who is an occasion of harm</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if a serious injury results,</b><br>This phrase introduces a condition within the broader context of the laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws are part of the covenant code, which provides guidelines for social justice and personal responsibility. The term "serious injury" indicates a situation where harm has escalated beyond minor disputes, reflecting the importance of justice and fairness in the community. This principle underscores the value of human life and the need for accountability.<p><b>then you must require a life for a life—</b><br>This phrase is an example of the lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, which is a principle of justice that ensures the punishment fits the crime. It is meant to prevent excessive retribution and maintain order within society. This concept is echoed in other parts of the Old Testament, such as <a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Leviticus 24:19-20</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a>. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses this principle in <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38-39</a>, where He calls for a higher standard of forgiveness and mercy, pointing to the transformative power of grace. The phrase also foreshadows the sacrificial system and ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave His life to atone for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the law and offering redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai, which includes the ordinances found in <a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law to guide their community and moral conduct.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God delivered the Law to Moses, including the civil and moral laws found in Exodus.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>A set of rules and ordinances given by God to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_near_eastern_context.htm">Ancient Near Eastern Context</a></b><br>The cultural and legal backdrop against which the laws in Exodus were given, often reflecting a principle of justice and retribution common in that era.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/principle_of_justice.htm">Principle of Justice</a></b><br>The "life for a life" principle underscores the seriousness of taking a life and the need for justice in society. It reflects God's concern for justice and the value of human life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_responsibility.htm">Moral Responsibility</a></b><br>This law teaches the importance of personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions, emphasizing that actions have consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_human_life.htm">Value of Human Life</a></b><br>The requirement of a life for a life highlights the intrinsic value of human life, as each person is made in the image of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transition_to_mercy.htm">Transition to Mercy</a></b><br>While the Old Testament law emphasizes justice, the New Testament introduces the concept of mercy and forgiveness, encouraging believers to seek reconciliation and peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context.htm">Cultural Context</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural and historical context of these laws helps us appreciate their purpose and how they point to a higher moral standard fulfilled in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_vigilante_justice.htm">What is the Bible's stance on vigilante justice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/exodus_21_22-23_on_abortion.htm">What do Exodus 21:22-23 say about abortion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_exodus_21_laws_were_used.htm">Historically or archaeologically, is there evidence that these specific slave and injury laws were widely practiced as described in Exodus 21?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'eye_for_an_eye'_mean.htm">What does "eye for an eye" mean biblically?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then thou shalt give life for life</span>. "Life for life" seems an excessive penalty, where the injury was in a great measure accidental, and when there was certainly no design to take life. Probably the law was not now enacted for the first time, but was an old tribal institution, like the law of the "avenger of blood." There are many things in the Mosaic institutions which Moses tolerated, like "bills of divorce" - on account of "the hardness of their hearts." <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 23, 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Eye</span> <span class="cmt_word">for eye, tooth for tooth,</span> etc. Aristotle says in the Nicomachean Ethics, that this was the rule of justice which Rhadamanthus was supposed to act on in the judgment after death (book 5, see. 3), and that it had the approval of the Pythagoreans. Solon admitted it to a certain extent into the laws of Athens, and at Rome it found its way. into the Twelve Tables. There is a <span class="accented">prima facie</span> appearance of exact equality in it, which would captivate rude minds and cause the principle to be widely adopted in a rude state of society. But in practice objections would soon be felt to it. There is no exact measure of the hardness of a blow, or the severity of a wound; and "wound for wound, stripe for stripe," would open a door for very unequal inflictions "Eye for eye" would be flagrantly unjust in the case of a one-eyed man. Moreover, it is against public policy to augment unnecessarily the number of mutilated and maimed citizens, whose power to serve the state is lessened by their mutilation. Consequently in every society retaliation has at an early date given way to pecuniary compensation; and this was the case even among the Hebrews, as Kalisch has shown satisfactorily. If the literal sense was insisted on in our Lord' s day (<a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38</a>), it was only by the Sadducees, who declined to give the law a spiritual interpretation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a serious injury</span><br /><span class="heb">אָס֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·sō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mischief, evil, harm</span><br /><br /><span class="word">results,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְיֶ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then you must require</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנָתַתָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a life</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֖פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֥חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a life—</span><br /><span class="heb">נָֽפֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:23 But if any harm follows then you (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>