Punishments

Biblical punishment law developed from the ancient principle of retaliation (lex talionis) — "an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth" (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20) — which originally functioned to cap retribution rather than mandate it literally. The Mosaic law prescribed capital punishment for a wide range of offenses: murder (Gen. 9:6; Num. 35:16–21), idolatry, blasphemy, adultery, certain sexual offenses, kidnapping, striking or cursing a parent, and Sabbath violation.

Methods of execution in the OT included stoning (the standard method for capital crimes in Israel, executed by the community), burning, the sword, and occasionally hanging (displaying the corpse after death). The NT period adds crucifixion (a Roman form), beheading, and imprisonment. Flogging (up to 40 stripes, reduced to 39 by practice, 2 Cor. 11:24) was administered for offenses not warranting death. Imprisonment appears mainly in the NT period, as a Roman rather than distinctly Israelite institution. The NT affirms civil authorities as God's servants executing justice (Rom. 13:4) while looking forward to a final judgment that perfectly vindicates all injustice.