The reciprocal relationship between law and emotion is a question about the relationship betweenculture and nature, or the evolutionary underpinnings of human social interaction. Behavioursoriginating as functional survival strategies have become dysfunctional social infringements, outof context, in need of moral repair. Law as a cultural construct attempts to regulate interaction,infringement, and repair, so as to ensure continued cooperation within a hierarchical socialstructure, and based on our emotional capacity. The article focuses on sexual infringementsand property infringements, conceptualised by the metaphorical frameworks of MEASURE andSIZE, and appraised by various emotions. I trace the influence of emotions in biblical legal textsand their interaction with legal reasoning and moral exhortation. I discuss how law regulates andbalances moral emotions, curbing excess and avoiding disproportionate revenge. I point to therhetorical function of law to direct emotions in the service of moral values and social cohesion.