What does “an eye for an eye” mean in the Bible?
“An eye for an eye” originates from the Code of Hammurabi and is found in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Leviticus. It is also referenced in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, found in the New Testament. Its meaning in the Bible was simply, the punishment or sentence must equal the crime.
From the Scriptures, Exodus 21:23-25 says, “But if there is damage, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, blow for blow”. Leviticus 24:19-21 echoes this statement: “Whoever strikes his neighbor will be struck in the same way: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whoever inflicted the injury must suffer the same.” injury.”
For both passages, the phrase is used in the circumstance of a court case before a civil authority such as a judge. “An eye for an eye” was intended to be an ethical guide for legislators and judges; he did not mean to advocate personal revenge.
Furthermore, Jesus condemns the practice of personal revenge in the Sermon on the Mount saying: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell them not to resist a bad person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and take your shirt off, give them your coat too. If someone forces you to walk a mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not refuse the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:38-42).
Jesus is not reversing the Old Testament decree of “an eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:17). Instead, he is delegating the responsibility to civil authority (to rightly punish criminals) from the responsibility we all have in a personal context to love our neighbors and enemies.
What is the meaning of “An eye for an eye”? Eye?”
The importance of this principle is the great longevity of its relevance. Our modern judicial systems are still governed by this guiding precept when determining a judicial sanction. “An eye for an eye” has literally influenced the appropriate sanctioning decisions of millions of legal cases for thousands of years, and with good reason.
What may be surprising about this judicial precept, although many would now consider it common sense, is that not all countries use it. Still today, there are places in the world where the punishment does not reasonably correspond to the crime. For examples of this, check out Ranker’s article on real and horrible punishments in other countries. “An eye for an eye” is a principle worth appreciating and understanding for its historical significance, which stems from the wisdom of God.
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