Course Content
The meaning of this biblical directive in the Old Covenant law teaches that punishment must fit the crime.
Exodus 21:24: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." Leviticus 24:20: "Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him." Deuteronomy 19:21: "Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
Christ was teaching us to not seek vengeance on our own, and to rise above it to the point of loving our enemies.
Critics of the Bible have used these verses to derisively imply God is a harsh God who would leave everyone blind and toothless. Some also call it vigilante justice. But elsewhere in the Bible you find warnings against seeking vengeance: "Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them" (Deuteronomy 32:35). The apostle Paul repeated this in the New Testament: "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
These verses were part of a rule of law that specified everybody would have the same measure of justice, regardless of status or wealth. "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous" (Deuteronomy 16:19).
This concept was also found in the code of Hammurabi. In modern legal parlance, we might say “let the punishment fit the crime.”
You do not find in the Bible where it says the injured party was to inflict these injuries on the offender.
Jesus, who came to magnify the law, said: "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away" (Matthew 5:38-42).
Christ was teaching us to not seek vengeance on our own, and to rise above it to the point of loving our enemies.
"Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head'” (Romans 12:20).
This was a direct quote from the Old Testament: "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink: For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21).
The implication is that by returning good for evil, it should cause the other person to feel remorse for the way they have treated you, and God takes care of you for not sinking to their level.
It would have been left up to the judges to decide punishment and carry out the sentence for a crime like this. Since the law also required someone to care for another and their family if they caused injury that prevented them from being able to, it would not make sense to inflict the same injury on the one who caused the original harm. The punishment of having to work in their stead certainly fit the crime if their hand now had to work to provide for the one who had lost theirs.
Study of the Bible has been a lifelong passion, beginning at age ten or eleven.
Writing, nature photography and painting what she photographs are Kathy's hobbies.
Life is full with five children and eight grandchildren which include one set of twins.
Kathy and her husband live in the woods where wildlife comes right up in their yard along with blooming wildflowers and many different butterflies. It is easy to see the design lovingly put in everything when you live with it so close.
