Albert Barnes Commentary Deuteronomy 25:12

"then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall have no pity." — Deuteronomy 25:12 (ASV)

This is the only mutilation prescribed by the Law of Moses, unless we except the retaliation prescribed as a punishment for the infliction on another of bodily injuries (Leviticus 24:19–20). The act in question was probably not rare in the times and countries for which the Law of Moses was designed. It is of course to be understood that the act was willful, and that the prescribed punishment would be inflicted according to the sentence of the judges.