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Deuteronomy 19:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 19:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And thine eyes shall not pity; life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And thine eyes shall not pity; life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Deuteronomy 19:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;
19then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to do unto his brother: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
20And those that remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil in the midst of thee.
21And thine eyes shall not pity; life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
← Deuteronomy 19:20Deuteronomy 20:1 →
← Full Chapter 19 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And thine eye shall not pity, etc.] The false witness when convicted; this is directed to the judges, who should not spare such an one through favour or affection, but pronounce a righteous sentence on him, and see it executed, in proportion to the crime, and that according to the law of retaliation: but life shall go for life; in such a case where the life of a person must have gone, if the falsehood of the testimony had not been discovered, the false witness must suffer death; in other cases, where a member would have been lost, or the price of it paid for, the same penalty was to be inflicted: eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot; that is, the price of an eye an eye,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Deuteronomy 19". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/deuteronomy-19.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Eye for eye - What punishment the law allotted to the accused, if he had been convicted, the same shall the false accuser bear. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:21 The legal principle described as life for life is known as lex talionis (“law of retaliation”), according to which the punishment must fit the crime (see Exod 21:23; Lev 24:20); it should be neither too lenient nor too severe. Appropriate punishment is a necessary function of government (cp. Rom 13:1-7), and it served to maintain Israel’s spiritual integrity as God’s people (see study note on Deut 17:7). But vengeance belongs to God, not individuals (see 1 Sam 25:26, 33; Matt 5:38-39; 1 Cor 6:1-8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thine eye: Deu 19:13 life shall: Exo 21:23-25; Lev 24:17-21; Mat 5:38, Mat 5:39 Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 20”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The lex talionis was to be applied without reserve (see at Exo 21:23; Lev 24:20). According to Diod. Sic. (i. 77), the same law existed in Egypt with reference to false accusers. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 20”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification