Exodus 21:23
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְנָֽתַתָּ֥ה
then thou shalt give
H5414
וְנָֽתַתָּ֥ה
then thou shalt give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נָֽפֶשׁ׃
for life
H5315
נָֽפֶשׁ׃
for life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Historical Context
Lex talionis appears in Hammurabi's Code (c. 1750 BC) and Hittite laws. Israel's version is more humane—applying equally regardless of social class (Hammurabi's penalties varied by status). Eye-for-eye limited rather than encouraged revenge.
Questions for Reflection
- How does lex talionis (eye-for-eye) actually limit rather than promote revenge?
- What's the difference between Jesus' personal ethic (turn the other cheek) and civil justice (lex talionis)?
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Analysis & Commentary
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Lex talionis principle: 'life for life' (נֶפֶשׁ תַּחַת נָפֶשׁ, nefesh tachat nefesh)—exact equivalence, not escalation. This LIMITS revenge, preventing blood feuds. If injury is minor, penalty is minor; if death results, death penalty follows. Ancient cultures allowed unlimited vengeance (Lamech: 'seventy-sevenfold,' Genesis 4:24); lex talionis caps punishment at the offense level. Jesus doesn't abolish this civil justice principle but transcends it personally—'turn the other cheek' (Matthew 5:39) governs personal relations, not civil magistrates. God ordains governments to 'bear the sword' (Romans 13:4) in executing justice.