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wound for wound
The mention of "wound for wound" emphasizes the importance of justice and fairness in the community. In ancient Israel, the legal system was designed to protect individuals and ensure that justice was served without partiality. This phrase underscores the need for equitable treatment and the prevention of escalating violence. It reflects the broader biblical theme of justice, as seen in passages likeDeuteronomy 16:20, which calls for the pursuit of justice. The principle here is not only about physical wounds but also about maintaining the integrity of the community.

stripe for stripe
"Stripe for stripe" refers to the physical marks or injuries inflicted during a conflict. In the cultural and historical context of the time, physical punishment was a common form of justice. This phrase highlights the need for accountability and the consequences of one's actions. It also points to the broader biblical narrative of sin and its consequences, as well as the need for atonement and reconciliation. In the New Testament, the concept of bearing stripes is seen in the suffering of Jesus Christ, who bore the stripes of humanity's sins (Isaiah 53:5,1 Peter 2:24), offering a deeper spiritual fulfillment of the law's demands.

“Burn for burn” (Exodus 21:25) sets the principle of proportional justice. If one person’s negligence or violence caused another’s skin to be scorched, the court ensured an equal consequence.

• This eliminates excessive retaliation; justice must match the injury (Leviticus 24:20).

• It protects the victim by guaranteeing the offender cannot escape accountability (Numbers 35:31).

• It foreshadows God’s unchanging standard that sin always brings a fitting consequence—ultimately fulfilled either at the cross (1 Peter 2:24) or in final judgment (Revelation 20:12).

A “wound” covers deeper injuries beneath the surface. The law upholds:

• Equal restitution—no more, no less (Deuteronomy 19:21).

• Community responsibility—elders judged each case publicly (Deuteronomy 21:19), teaching Israel that God sees and weighs every action (Proverbs 5:21).

• Mercy within justice—while injury could be repaid in kind, rabbinic practice soon allowed monetary compensation, still preserving God’s proportional standard (compareExodus 21:18–19).

“Stripe” points to blows that leave bruises or welts. God commands:

• Physical discipline must stay within strict limits (Deuteronomy 25:2–3).

• The offender feels the weight of wrongdoing, deterring future harm (Proverbs 19:29).

• The passage anticipates Christ, who willingly received “stripes” for our healing (Isaiah 53:5;1 Peter 2:24), showing that perfect justice and perfect mercy meet in Him.

Exodus 21:25 teaches that God requires exact, measured justice—burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. The principle safeguards victims, restrains vengeance, and mirrors God’s holy character. While ancient courts applied it to bodily harm, the standard ultimately points to Christ, who bore the just penalty for sin so that those who trust Him receive mercy without compromising divine justice.

Parallel Commentaries ...