Exodus 21:25 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:25 mean?

Exodus 21:25 states that if someone causes a burn, wound, or stripe to another person, the same injury should be done in return—"burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." This verse sets out a principle of equal justice, where the punishment matches the harm done.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about how to handle personal injuries. The verse comes in a section about fair consequences for harming others, aiming to prevent excessive retaliation and make sure justice is balanced. The language is direct and specific, showing that each kind of injury—whether a burn, a wound, or a stripe (a blow or bruise)—has its own just response.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:25

• "Burning" (כְּוִיָּה, keviyyah): This word refers to a burn or scald, likely from fire or something hot. Its use here makes clear that even specific injuries like burns were covered by the law, not just general wounds.
• "Wound" (פֶּצַע, petsa‘): This word means a cut or open injury. Naming it separately from burns and stripes shows the law paid attention to the type of harm, not just the fact that harm was done.
• "Stripe" (חַבּוּרָה, chabburah): This word means a bruise or welt, usually from being struck. Including "stripe" highlights that even less severe injuries, like bruises from a blow, were taken seriously in matters of justice.

Why Exodus 21:25 matters

• Exodus 21:25 clarifies that justice in ancient Israel was meant to be measured and fair, not driven by revenge or escalating violence.
• The verse shows that the law recognized different kinds of injuries, not treating all harm as the same, which points to a careful and detailed approach to justice.
• In the wider context of Exodus 21, this verse helps explain the "eye for eye" principle, showing it was about limiting punishment to fit the offense, not encouraging harshness.