Exodus 21:24 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse establishes that punishment should match the crime - not more, not less.

📚 Historical Context

This law was given to ancient Israel as part of the civil laws that would govern their society. It was actually a merciful limitation on revenge, preventing people from escalating violence beyond what was proportional to the original harm. In that ancient world, this principle helped establish fair justice rather than allowing unlimited retaliation.

Explore Similar Verses

Matthew 5:38

You've heard the old saying: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

Exodus 21:27

And if he knocks out his male servant's tooth, or his female servant's tooth, he must set them free because of the tooth.

Leviticus 24:20

If someone injures another person, they should receive the same injury in return: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever harm they have caused to someone else should be done to them in the same way.

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📚 Historical Context

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