Deu 25:2-3 | NET2full | STEP | Then , if the guilty person is sentenced to a beating , the judge shall force him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of blows his wicked behavior deserves .

‏ Deuteronomy 25:2-3

2 Then, ^{▼▼tn Heb “and it will be.”} if the guilty person is sentenced to a beating, ^{▼▼tn Heb “if the evil one is a son of smiting.”} the judge shall force him to lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of blows his wicked behavior deserves. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to his wickedness, by number.”} 3 The judge ^{▼▼tn Heb “he”; the referent (the judge) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} may sentence him to 40 blows, ^{▼▼tn Heb “Forty blows he may strike him”; however, since the judge is to witness the punishment (v. 2) it is unlikely the judge himself administered it.} but no more. If he is struck with more than these, you might view your fellow Israelite ^{▼▼tn Heb “your brothers” but not limited only to an actual sibling; cf. NAB) “your kinsman”; NRSV, NLT “your neighbor.”} with contempt.