Translations
Modern
If two men are fighting, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,
Traditional
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets:
Literal
If men fight with each other, a man and his brother, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one attacking him, and she puts out her hand and seizes him by the genitals,
Latin
Si habuerint inter se jurgium viri duo, et unus contra alterum rixari cœperit, volensque uxor alterius eruere virum suum de manu fortioris, miseritque manum, et apprehenderit verenda ejus:
Original
Hebrew
English
If two men are fighting, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband from the one striking him, and she reaches out her hand and grabs his genitals,
Notes
cut off her hand: The woman’s action would stop the man from having children. Like the earlier law (25:9) the punishment matches the crime. This is called lex talionis ("the law of equal punishment"; see study note on 19:21).
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Marriage, Marriage Customs Ruth, Book of