Deu 25:2-3 | NETfull | 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, ^{▼▼ Heb “and it will be.”} if the guilty person is sentenced to a beating, ^{▼▼ 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. ^{▼▼ Heb “according to his wickedness, by number.”} 3 The judge ^{▼▼ Heb “he”; the referent (the judge) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} may sentence him to forty blows, ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “your brothers” but not limited only to an actual sibling; cf. NAB) “your kinsman”; NRSV, NLT “your neighbor.”} with contempt.