251 " If there is a dispute between men and they go to court , and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked , 2 then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten , the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt . 3 " He may beat him forty times but no more , so that he does not beat him with many more stripes than these and your brother is not degraded in your eyes .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:1-3
Commentary on Deuteronomy 25:1-3
(Read Deuteronomy 25:1-3)
Every punishment should be with solemnity, that those who see it may be filled with dread, and be warned not to offend in like manner. And though the criminals must be shamed as well as put to pain, for their warning and disgrace, yet care should be taken that they do not appear totally vile. Happy those who are chastened of the Lord to humble them, that they should not be condemned with the world to destruction.