King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 25:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 25:2 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.”

Deuteronomy 25:2 · KJV

Context

1

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

2

And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.

3

Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

4

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. treadeth: Heb. thresheth

Read Deuteronomy 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If the wicked man be worthy to be beaten—not all crimes required death penalty; the verb hakkot (הַכּוֹת, to strike/beat) provided proportional punishment for lesser offenses. The judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face—judicial oversight prevents excessive punishment or vigilante justice. The judge's presence (le-fanav, לְפָנָיו, before his face) ensures accountability and restraint.

According to his fault, by a certain number (ke-dei rish'ato be-mispar)—punishment must be proportional (ke-dei, כְּדֵי, sufficient/proportional) to the offense. This principle of measured justice appears throughout Torah (Exodus 21:23-25, "eye for eye") and contrasts with ancient codes allowing arbitrary brutality.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corporal punishment was common in ancient Near East, but Mosaic law regulated it carefully. Limits on beating (40 stripes maximum, verse 3) protected human dignity and prevented judges from acting tyrannically. Paul received this punishment five times from synagogue courts (2 Corinthians 11:24), showing its continuation in Second Temple Judaism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does proportional punishment reflect both God's justice (appropriate consequences) and mercy (limited severity)?
  2. What principles of measured discipline apply to church discipline and parenting in light of this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְהָיָ֛ה1 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם2 of 12
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בִּ֥ן3 of 12

“be worthy”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְהִכָּ֣הוּ4 of 12

“and to be beaten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

הָֽרָשָׁ֑ע5 of 12

“And it shall be if the wicked man”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

וְהִפִּיל֤וֹ6 of 12

“shall cause him to lie down”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

הַשֹּׁפֵט֙7 of 12

“that the judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וְהִכָּ֣הוּ8 of 12

“and to be beaten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְפָנָ֔יו9 of 12

“before his face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כְּדֵ֥י10 of 12

“according”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

רִשְׁעָת֖וֹ11 of 12

“to his fault”

H7564

wrong (especially moral)

בְּמִסְפָּֽר׃12 of 12

“by a certain number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 25:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 25:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 12:47-48Matthew 27:261 Peter 2:24Acts 5:401 Peter 2:20Matthew 10:17

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