Exodus 21:25 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

A burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a beating for a beating.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse is establishing that punishment should match the severity of the crime—no more, no less.

📚 Historical Context

This comes from the ancient legal code God gave to Moses, often called the 'Law of Retaliation' or 'lex talionis.' It was actually a merciful principle for its time, preventing excessive revenge by limiting punishment to match the original harm. This law helped establish fair courts and prevented blood feuds that could spiral out of control.

Explore Similar Verses

Luke 10:30

Jesus answered by telling this story: A guy was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers jumped him. They took everything he had, beat him up badly, and left him on the side of the road barely alive.

Acts 19:16

The guy who was possessed by the demon literally jumped on them, overpowered all of them, and beat them up so badly that they had to run out of the house with their clothes torn off and covered in injuries.

Proverbs 20:30

Physical bruises from wounds can cleanse away evil, and beatings can purify the inner heart.

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📚 Historical Context

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