Deuteronomy 25:12
Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.
Original Language Analysis
וְקַצֹּתָ֖ה
Then thou shalt cut off
H7112
וְקַצֹּתָ֖ה
Then thou shalt cut off
Strong's:
H7112
Word #:
1 of 6
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּפָּ֑הּ
her hand
H3709
כַּפָּ֑הּ
her hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
3 of 6
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Established circa 1406 BC as Israel's civil code before entering Canaan. While other ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Middle Assyrian Laws) prescribed amputation for various offenses, Mosaic law generally preferred restitution over mutilation. The singularity of this penalty highlights the perceived severity—attacks threatening procreation struck at covenant community continuity. Whether literally enforced or not, the law's existence deterred the action and communicated unambiguous divine judgment against it.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we interpret harsh Old Testament penalties in light of New Testament grace and mercy?
- What does this law reveal about God's protection of family, procreation, and human dignity?
- How should Christians think about proportional justice and punishment for serious offenses?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her—the penalty seems harsh, leading some scholars to suggest this is the only biblical amputation law applied literally, while others argue for symbolic interpretation or monetary compensation (as with eye-for-eye laws). The Hebrew qatsotah et-kapah (וְקַצֹּתָה אֶת־כַּפָּהּ) literally means 'you shall cut off her palm/hand.' Thine eye shall not pity emphasized the law's strict enforcement without emotional mitigation.
If literal, the amputation matched the nature of the crime—the offending hand paid the penalty. The severity protected men's procreative capacity and family dignity. However, the penalty's uniqueness in biblical law (no other amputation for women appears) and the lex talionis principle elsewhere allowing financial restitution (Exodus 21:26-27) suggests judges may have had discretion. Regardless, the law clearly marked genital assault as extraordinarily serious, beyond typical fight injuries.