Deuteronomy 25:2

1 If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime warrants.

3 He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight.

4 Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime warrants.
KJV
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.
WEB
It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number.
ASV
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 wickedness, by number.
DARBY
And it shall be if the wicked man have deserved to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and be beaten before his face, according to the measure of his wickedness with a certain number [of stripes].
BLB
And it shall come to pass, if a son—the wicked man—deserves to be beaten, that the judge will cause him to lie down and to be struck in his presence according to his wrongdoing, by number.
ÅB
Og dersom da den skyldige skal straffes med slag, så skal dommeren la dem legge ham ned og i sitt påsyn la dem gi ham så mange slag som svarer til hans brøde.
OTB
Hvis den skyldige personen fortjener en pisking, skal dommeren få ham til å legge seg ned og la ham bli pisket i hans nærvær med det antall slag som er passende for hans overtredelse.
B1930
Og dersom da den skyldige skal straffes med slag, så skal dommeren la dem legge ham ned og i sitt påsyn la dem gi ham så mange slag som svarer til hans brøde.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Luke 12:47–48

    That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 2:20

    How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 10:17

    But beware of men; for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 2:24

    He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:40

    At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 27:26

    So Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

    Read in context
  • Acts 16:22–24

    The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods.

    Read in context