Bible Dictionaries
Injury

Holman Bible Dictionary

An act that hurts, damages, or causes loss; the result of such an act. Old Testament law provided two responses to injuries; retaliation in kind (“eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:24 ) and compensation. For example, if the victim of an assault was confined to bed, the assailant was to pay the injured party for time lost from work as well as “health care” expenses to ensure recovery (Exodus 21:22 ). If an owner caused a slave to loose an eye or a tooth, the slave was to be freed as compensation for the loss (Exodus 21:26 ). Physical injuries excluded priests from service at the altar (Leviticus 21:19 ). As part of the Hasmonean intrigue, Aristobulus had the ears of his uncle Hyrcanus II mutilated to disqualify him from priestly service (40 B.C.).

The extended use of the term is evidenced by Proverbs 8:36 where those who miss wisdom injure themselves and Romans 14:15 where Paul warned the Roman Christians not to injure other Christians for the sake of food (compare Galatians 4:12 ).