251 'When there is a strife between men, and they have come nigh unto the judgment, and they have judged, and declared righteous the righteous, and declared wrong the wrong-doer, 2 then it hath come to pass, if the wrong-doer is to be smitten, that the judge hath caused him to fall down, and 'one' hath smitten him in his presence, according to the sufficiency of his wrong-doing, by number; 3 forty 'times' he doth smite him—he is not adding, lest, he is adding to smite him above these—many stripes, and thy brother is lightly esteemed in thine 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.