Deuteronomy 25:2
And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֛ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֛ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בִּ֥ן
be worthy
H1121
בִּ֥ן
be worthy
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
H5221
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
4 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הָֽרָשָׁ֑ע
And it shall be if the wicked man
H7563
הָֽרָשָׁ֑ע
And it shall be if the wicked man
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
5 of 12
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וְהִפִּיל֤וֹ
shall cause him to lie down
H5307
וְהִפִּיל֤וֹ
shall cause him to lie down
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 12
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
הַשֹּׁפֵט֙
that the judge
H8199
הַשֹּׁפֵט֙
that the judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
7 of 12
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
H5221
וְהִכָּ֣הוּ
and to be beaten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
8 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לְפָנָ֔יו
before his face
H6440
לְפָנָ֔יו
before his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כְּדֵ֥י
according
H1767
כְּדֵ֥י
according
Strong's:
H1767
Word #:
10 of 12
enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases
Historical Context
Corporal punishment was common in ancient Near East, but Mosaic law regulated it carefully. Limits on beating (40 stripes maximum, verse 3) protected human dignity and prevented judges from acting tyrannically. Paul received this punishment five times from synagogue courts (2 Corinthians 11:24), showing its continuation in Second Temple Judaism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does proportional punishment reflect both God's justice (appropriate consequences) and mercy (limited severity)?
- What principles of measured discipline apply to church discipline and parenting in light of this passage?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If the wicked man be worthy to be beaten—not all crimes required death penalty; the verb hakkot (הַכּוֹת, to strike/beat) provided proportional punishment for lesser offenses. The judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face—judicial oversight prevents excessive punishment or vigilante justice. The judge's presence (le-fanav, לְפָנָיו, before his face) ensures accountability and restraint.
According to his fault, by a certain number (ke-dei rish'ato be-mispar)—punishment must be proportional (ke-dei, כְּדֵי, sufficient/proportional) to the offense. This principle of measured justice appears throughout Torah (Exodus 21:23-25, "eye for eye") and contrasts with ancient codes allowing arbitrary brutality.