Leviticus 24:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 24:20 mean?

Leviticus 24:20 sets out the principle that any injury done to another person should be repaid in equal measure: “breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” The verse states that if someone causes a physical blemish or harm to another, the same should be done to them in return.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about justice and fair treatment. The verse is part of a larger section on legal consequences for causing harm. The idea is to ensure that punishment matches the offense, preventing both excessive revenge and unfair leniency.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 24:20

• בֶּרֶץ (shever; transliterated as "shever") — translated as "breach," this word means a break or fracture, often referring to a physical injury. Its use here highlights that the law covers all kinds of bodily harm, not just wounds that are visible or dramatic.
• עַיִן (ayin; transliterated as "ayin") — meaning "eye," this word is repeated to stress the directness and equality of the law: if an eye is harmed, an eye is required in return.
• שֵׁן (shen; transliterated as "shen") — meaning "tooth," this word is also repeated, reinforcing that the law covers even what might seem like smaller injuries.
• מוּם (mum; transliterated as "mum") — translated as "blemish," this word refers to any kind of defect or injury. The law applies to any harm, not just severe or life-threatening ones.

Why Leviticus 24:20 matters

• Leviticus 24:20 clarifies that justice in ancient Israel was meant to be measured and fair, not driven by personal vengeance or escalation.
• The verse emphasizes that every person, regardless of status, was to be treated equally under the law, with the same standard applied to all.
• Understanding the original words shows that the law was about proportional justice for any kind of injury, not just the most severe, and was meant to limit punishment to fit the actual harm done.