Leviticus 24:21
Leviticus 24:21 in Multiple Translations
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death.
And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
And he that killeth a beast shall make it good: and he that killeth a man shall be put to death.
He who puts a beast to death will have to make payment for it; he who puts a man to death will himself be put to death.
Anyone who kills an animal has to replace it, but anyone who kills someone else must be executed.
And he that killeth a beast shall restore it: but he that killeth a man shall be slaine.
'And he who smiteth a beast repayeth it, and he who smiteth [the life of] man is put to death;
He who kills an animal shall make it good; and he who kills a man shall be put to death.
And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.
He that striketh a beast, shall render another. He that striketh a man shall be punished.
Whoever kills another person’s animal must give that person a live animal to replace the one that he killed, but anyone who murders another person must be executed.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 24:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 24:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
בְהֵמָ֖ה
יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑/נָּה
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
אָדָ֖ם
יוּמָֽת
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil
בְהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
N-fs
יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑/נָּה
shâlam
H7999
to complete
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hiphil
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
יוּמָֽת
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 24:21
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
בְהֵמָ֖ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑/נָּה
shâlam
H7999
"to complete"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to be at peace or to make peace with someone. It is used in the Bible to describe a state of safety or friendship. In the KJV, it is translated as 'make amends' or 'be at peace'.
Definition: 1) to be complete, be sound 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended 1a2) to be sound, be uninjured 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, finish 1b2) to make safe 1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation 1b4) to make good, pay 1b5) to requite, recompense, reward 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be performed 1c2) to be repaid, be requited 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to complete, perform 1d2) to make an end of Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 44:4; Psalms 7:5; Psalms 22:26.
וּ/מַכֵּ֥ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hiphil
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
יוּמָֽת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
Study Notes — Leviticus 24:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — An Eye for an Eye
19If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him:
20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.
21Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death.
22You are to have the same standard of law for the foreign resident and the native; for I am the LORD your God.’” 23Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him. So the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 24:17–18 | And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. |
| 2 | Exodus 21:33 | If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, |
Leviticus 24:21 Summary
[This verse from Leviticus 24:21 teaches us that human life is very precious to God, and taking a human life is a very serious matter, whereas killing an animal, though still important, is treated differently (as also seen in Exodus 21:28-32). It shows us that God values fairness and justice, and He wants us to be accountable for our actions, which is a principle that applies to us today as well (Romans 13:1-4). The idea is that if someone kills an animal, they need to make it right by paying for it, but if someone kills a person, the punishment is much more severe, because human life is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this verse seem to value human life over animal life?
This verse highlights the unique value God places on human life, created in His image, as seen in Genesis 1:27, and emphasizes the severity of taking a human life, whereas animal life, though still valuable, has a different status in God's creation.
How does this principle of restitution and punishment apply to us today?
While the specific laws in Leviticus 24:21 were given to the Israelites, the principle of accountability for one's actions and the value of human life is still relevant today, as seen in Romans 13:1-4, where we are called to respect and submit to governing authorities.
Does this verse support the concept of 'an eye for an eye'?
This verse is part of a larger section that includes the 'an eye for an eye' principle, but its primary focus is on the distinction between killing an animal and killing a human, emphasizing that human life is sacred and demands a greater penalty, as also reflected in Exodus 21:12-14.
How does this verse relate to God's character and justice?
This verse showcases God's justice and His desire for fairness and accountability, as He is a God who does not take the loss of human life lightly, and this is consistent with His character revealed throughout the Bible, such as in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 92:15.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach me about the value God places on human life, and how should this affect my interactions with others?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of accountability for one's actions in my own life, especially in relation to how I treat others?
- How does understanding the severity of taking a human life, as emphasized in this verse, impact my view of God's justice and mercy?
- What does this distinction between the treatment of animals and humans reveal about God's perspective on creation and our role within it?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 24:21
And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it,.... The same as in Leviticus 24:18, which is repeated for the confirmation of it, and that it might be observed, though Jarchi takes it to be a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 24:21
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. He that killeth any man.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 24:21
(21) And he that killeth a beast.—This verse contains a repetition of the laws enacted in Leviticus 24:17-18.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 24:21
21. A repetition, introduced apparently in order to emphasize the direction to exercise no discrimination (Leviticus 24:22) between ‘the stranger’ and the ‘homeborn.’ P repeatedly urges this matter. Cp. Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 17:15, etc.