If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 24:19
What does Leviticus 24:19 mean?
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Leviticus 24:19
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The phrase "as he has done, so shall it be done to him" might sound like a simple call for revenge, but it was actually a limitation. This "eye for an eye" principle, when applied in ancient Israelite society, often meant financial compensation for damages and suffering, rather than literal physical retribution. It aimed to ensure justice was proportionate and not excessive.
If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage follows the account of a man who blasphemed God's name, an offense so severe it led to his stoning. Immediately after, the text addresses how to handle injuries inflicted between Israelites, setting a standard of justice that applies the principle of "eye for eye" to personal harm, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. This law serves as a crucial component of the broader legal and social order God was establishing for His people.
The phrase "eye for an eye" often brings up images of harsh, unfeeling revenge. But what did this ancient law really mean for the people of Israel?
This verse states, "as he has done, so shall it be done to him." This is an example of the principle known as lex talionis, or the law of retaliation.
A Limit, Not a License
While it sounds severe, the primary purpose of this law was often to limit vengeance, not to encourage it. Before such laws, blood feuds could escalate endlessly. This principle ensured that the punishment would be proportionate to the offense, preventing excessive retribution.
Restitution Over Retaliation
It's crucial to understand that this wasn't always meant to be literal, physical retribution. As commentaries suggest, especially when dealing with injuries that caused lasting blemishes or disabilities, the emphasis often shifted to restitution. This meant the offender had to compensate the injured party for their medical costs, loss of income, and even the pain and shame endured. The goal was to restore what was taken, as far as possible.
This law wasn't just about punishing wrongdoers; it was also deeply concerned with the well-being of the community, including its most vulnerable members.
The context surrounding Leviticus 24, particularly the incident with the man of mixed heritage (Leviticus 24:10-16), highlights the importance of treating everyone within the community justly.
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Universal Application
Commentaries note that laws like this applied to both native-born Israelites and resident foreigners (strangers). This shows a commitment to a standard of justice that protected all within the covenant community, regardless of their background. It meant that even those without full Israelite lineage were to be protected from harm and held accountable for their actions.
Repercussions for Harm
By establishing clear consequences for causing injury, this law served as a deterrent. It underscored that causing harm to another person was a serious offense against God's established order and demanded accountability. It aimed to foster a society where people treated each other with respect and recognized the inherent dignity of every individual, created in God's image.
Understand the original words
rea' · Hebrew Noun
A fellow member of the covenant community; someone to be treated with justice, fairness, and love under God's law.
mum · Hebrew Noun
A physical injury or blemish; biblically, it signifies the disruption of the wholeness (shalom) God intended for human bodies.
This passage lays out the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' directly preceding the Leviticus verse and providing the legal framework for it.
Matthew 5:38Jesus directly addresses and reinterprets the 'eye for an eye' principle, calling His followers to a higher standard of non-retaliation and love.
Romans 12:17Paul echoes the Old Testament principle but, like Jesus, urges believers not to repay evil for evil, showing a shift in how this justice is applied under the New Covenant.
Deuteronomy 19:21This verse, also from the Law, reinforces the principle of 'life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth,' underscoring the severity of the penalty for false testimony.
gillLeviticus 24:19: "And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;"
And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour,.... Does him any hurt or mischief, causes any mutilation or deformity in him by striking him: as he hath done, so shall it be done unto him: not that a like damage or hurt should be done to him, but that he should make satisfaction for it in a pecuniary way; pay for the cure of him, and for loss of time, and in consideration of the pain he…
pooleLeviticus 24:19: "And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;"
No text from Poole on this verse.
The phrase "as he has done, so shall it be done to him" might sound like a simple call for revenge, but it was actually a limitation. This "eye for an eye" principle, when applied in ancient Israelite society, often meant financial compensation for damages and suffering, rather than literal physical retribution. It aimed to ensure justice was proportionate and not excessive.
This passage follows the account of a man who blasphemed God's name, an offense so severe it led to his stoning. Immediately after, the text addresses how to handle injuries inflicted between Israelites, setting a standard of justice that applies the principle of "eye for eye" to personal harm, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. This law serves as a crucial component of the broader legal and social order God was establishing for His people.
This passage follows the account of a man who blasphemed God's name, an offense so severe it led to his stoning. Immediately after, the text addresses how to handle injuries inflicted between Israelites, setting a standard of justice that applies the principle of "eye for eye" to personal harm, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. This law serves as a crucial component of the broader legal and social order God was establishing for His people.
"If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him," — The phrase "as he has done, so shall it be done to him" might sound like a simple call for revenge, but it was actually a limitation. This "eye for an eye" principle, when applied in ancient Israelit…
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Last reviewed October 2026