Deutéronome 25:21 Commentaire

Here is, I. A law to moderate the scourging of malefactors (Deu 25:1-3). II. A law in favour of the ox the treads out the corn (Deu 25:4). III. For the disgracing of him that refused to marry his brother's widow (Deu 25:5-10). IV. For the punishment of an immodest woman (Deu 25:11, Deu 25:12). V. For just weights and measures (Deu 25:13-16). VI. For the destroying of Amalek (Deu 25:17, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 25 Several laws are contained in this chapter, as concerning beating such whose crimes required it, Deu 25:1; of not muzzling the ox in treading out the corn, Deu 25:4; of marrying a deceased brother's wife, when there was no issue, and of the disgrace of such that refused it, Deu 25:5; of the punishment of an immodest woman, Deu 25:11; and against bad weights and measures, Deu 25:13; and for the utter destruction of Amalek, Deu 25:17.

STRIPES MUST NOT EXCEED FORTY. (Deu. 25:1-19) if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten--In judicial sentences, which awarded punishment short of capital, scourging, like the Egyptian bastinado, was the most common form in which they were executed. The Mosaic law, however, introduced two important restrictions; namely: (1) The punishment should be inflicted in presence of the judge instead of being inflicted in private by some heartless official; and (2) The maximum amount of it should be limited to forty stripes, instead of being awarded according to the arbitrary will or passion of the magistrate. The Egyptian, like Turkish and Chinese rulers, often applied the stick till they caused death or lameness for life. Of what the scourge consisted at first we are not informed; but in later times, when the Jews were exceedingly scrupulous in adhering to the letter of the law and, for fear of miscalculation, were desirous of keeping within the prescribed limit, it was formed of three cords, terminating in leathern thongs, and thirteen strokes of this counted as thirty-nine stripes (Co2 11:24).