Leviticus 24:19 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 24:19 mean?

Leviticus 24:19 says that if someone injures another person, the same kind of injury should be done to the one who caused it. This is a statement of equal justice, where the punishment matches the harm done.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle cases where one person harms another. The verse is part of a section focused on fairness and limiting revenge, making sure that consequences are not harsher than the original offense. The idea is to keep justice balanced and prevent ongoing cycles of retaliation.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 24:19

• The word for "blemish" is מוּם (mum), which often means a physical injury or defect. Here, it refers to any kind of bodily harm or damage done to another person.
• The word for "neighbour" is עֲמִית (amit), which usually means a fellow member of the community, not just someone who lives nearby. This highlights that the law is about relationships within the Israelite community.
• The verb "done" is עָשָׂה (asah), a common word for doing or making. Its use here underlines that the law is about actions and their direct consequences, not intentions or accidents.

Why Leviticus 24:19 matters

• This verse is often misunderstood as encouraging harshness, but in its context, it actually limits punishment to what is fair, preventing excessive retribution.
• Leviticus 24:19 is part of a larger section that sets out the principle of "an eye for an eye," which was meant to protect people from unfair treatment and endless feuds.
• Understanding the original words helps clarify that the law was about justice within the community, not personal revenge or cruelty.