Eye for an Eye
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Topical Encyclopedia
The phrase "eye for an eye" originates from the ancient legal principle known as lex talionis, which is Latin for the "law of retaliation." This principle is found in the Old Testament and is a foundational concept in biblical law, emphasizing justice and proportional retribution. The phrase is most notably mentioned in three key passages: Exodus 21:23-25, Leviticus 24:19-20, and Deuteronomy 19:21.

Exodus 21:23-25 :
"But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe."

In this passage, the law is given as part of the Mosaic Law to the Israelites. It serves as a guideline for judges to ensure that the punishment fits the crime, neither exceeding nor falling short of what is just. The principle is meant to prevent excessive retribution and to maintain social order by providing a clear standard for justice.

Leviticus 24:19-20 :
"If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him."

Here, the law is reiterated to emphasize fairness and equity in dealing with personal injuries. It underscores the importance of treating others with the same respect and consideration one would expect for oneself. This passage reinforces the idea that justice should be impartial and that personal vendettas have no place in a just society.

Deuteronomy 19:21 :
"Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."

In Deuteronomy, the context is the establishment of cities of refuge and the administration of justice. The directive to "show no pity" is a call for judges to uphold the law without partiality, ensuring that justice is served and that the community is protected from further harm.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament offers a transformative perspective on the principle of "eye for an eye." In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses this law directly:

Matthew 5:38-39 :
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Jesus' teaching does not abolish the law but rather fulfills and transcends it by introducing the principle of grace and forgiveness. He calls His followers to a higher standard of love and mercy, encouraging them to respond to wrongdoing with kindness rather than retaliation. This teaching highlights the transformative power of love and the call to live in a way that reflects the character of God.

Theological Implications

The principle of "eye for an eye" reflects God's justice and the importance of maintaining order and fairness within society. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for accountability. However, through Christ's teachings, believers are called to embrace a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, recognizing that ultimate justice belongs to God. This dual emphasis on justice and mercy is central to the Christian understanding of God's character and His expectations for human relationships.
Topical Bible Verses
Exodus 21:24-25
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Topicalbible.org

Greek
5168. trumalia -- a hole, eye (of a needle)
... a hole, eye (of a needle). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: trumalia
Phonetic Spelling: (troo-mal-ee-ah') Short Definition: the eye of a needle ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5168.htm - 6k

3788. ophthalmos -- the eye
... the eye. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ophthalmos Phonetic Spelling:
(of-thal-mos') Short Definition: the eye Definition: the eye; fig: the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3788.htm - 7k

3659. omma -- an eye
... omma. 3660 . an eye. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: omma Phonetic
Spelling: (om'-mah) Short Definition: an eye Definition: an eye. ... eye. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3659.htm - 6k

5169. trupema -- eye.
... 5168, 5169. trupema. 5170 . eye. ... eye. From a derivative of the base of trumalia;
an aperture, ie A needle's eye -- eye. see GREEK trumalia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5169.htm - 6k

3442. monophthalmos -- having one eye
... having one eye. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: monophthalmos Phonetic
Spelling: (mon-of'-thal-mos) Short Definition: one-eyed Definition: one-eyed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3442.htm - 6k

2854. kollourion -- eye salve.
... eye salve. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kollourion Phonetic Spelling:
(kol-loo'-ree-on) Short Definition: eye-salve Definition: eye-salve. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2854.htm - 6k

5299. hupopiazo -- to strike under the eye
... to strike under the eye. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupopiazo Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-o-pee-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I bruise, worry, exhaust ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5299.htm - 7k

4493. rhipe -- any rapid movement, spec. a twinkling (of lights or ...
... a twinkling (of lights or the eye). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
rhipe Phonetic Spelling: (hree-pay') Short Definition: a glance, twinkle (of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4493.htm - 6k

3787. ophthalmodoulia -- eye service
... eye service. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ophthalmodoulia Phonetic
Spelling: (of-thal-mod-oo-li'-ah) Short Definition: service rendered only ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3787.htm - 6k

2855b. kollurion -- a small bread roll, an eye salve (shaped like ...
... 2855a, 2855b. kollurion. 2856 . a small bread roll, an eye salve (shaped like
a roll). Transliteration: kollurion Short Definition: roll. Word Origin dim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2855b.htm - 5k

Strong's Hebrew
892. babah -- the apple (of the eye)
... 891, 892. babah. 893 . the apple (of the eye). Transliteration: babah Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-baw') Short Definition: apple. ... apple of the eye. ...
/hebrew/892.htm - 6k

5870. ayin -- an eye
... 5869, 5870. ayin. 5870a . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: eye. eye (Aramaic) corresponding to ayin; an eye -- ...
/hebrew/5870.htm - 5k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... 5868, 5869. ayin. 5870 . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: eyes. Word Origin of uncertain ...
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

5770. avan -- eye
... avan. 5770a . eye. Transliteration: avan Phonetic Spelling: (aw-van') Short
Definition: eye. eye Denominative from ayin; to watch (with jealosy) -- eye. ...
/hebrew/5770.htm - 5k

380. ishon -- the pupil (of the eye)
... 379, 380. ishon. 381 . the pupil (of the eye). Transliteration: ishon Phonetic
Spelling: (ee-shone') Short Definition: apple. ... apple of the eye, black, obscure ...
/hebrew/380.htm - 6k

5870a. ayin -- an eye
... an eye. Transliteration: ayin Short Definition: eyes. Word Origin (Aramaic)
corresponding to ayin Definition an eye NASB Word Usage eye (1), eyes (4). ...
/hebrew/5870a.htm - 5k

5770a. avan -- eye
... 5770, 5770a. avan. 5770b . eye. Transliteration: avan Short Definition: eye.
Word Origin see in. 5770, 5770a. avan. 5770b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5770a.htm - 5k

5870b. in -- to eye
... to eye. Transliteration: in Short Definition: suspicion. Word Origin denominative
verb from ayin Definition to eye NASB Word Usage looked at with suspicion (1). ...
/hebrew/5870b.htm - 5k

1354. gab -- a back
... an unused root meaning to hollow or curve; the back (as rounded (compare gev and
guwph); by analogy, the top or rim, a boss, a vault, arch of eye, bulwarks, etc ...
/hebrew/1354.htm - 6k

1323. bath -- daughter
... villages (17), woman (1), women (1). apple of the eye, branch, company, daughter,
first, old, owl, town,. From banah (as feminine of ...
/hebrew/1323.htm - 6k

Library

True Hearing
... If my eye is to discern colour, it must itself be free from all colour. The
eye with which I see God is the same with which God sees me. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/iv true hearing.htm

A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible
A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible. <. A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible
Frank Nelson Palmer. Produced by Karina Aleksandrova ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/

On a Single Eye
... Third Series Sermon 118 On a Single Eye. "If thine eye be single, thy whole
body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 118 on a single.htm

The Eye or Hand Allegorized.
... Book XIII. 25. The Eye or Hand Allegorized. And it is possible to apply these
words also to our nearest kinsfolk, who are our members ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/25 the eye or hand.htm

January the Tenth the Lust of the Eye
... JANUARY The Tenth THE LUST OF THE EYE. GENESIS xiii.10-18. Look at Lot. He was a
man of the world, sharp as a needle, having an eye to the main chance. ...
/.../jowett/my daily meditation for the circling year/january the tenth the lust.htm

The Offending Hand, or Foot, or Eye.
... Book XIII. 24. The Offending Hand, or Foot, or Eye. And it is well, then,
if the eye and the hand are deserving of praise, that ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/24 the offending hand or.htm

February the Twenty-Fifth the Fresh Eye
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-fifth THE FRESH EYE. "His compassions fail not ... never
fail. The fresh eye insures the sensitive heart. And our ...
/.../february the twenty-fifth the fresh.htm

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
... A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE EARLY CHURCH. 'So the Church throughout all Judaea
and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a birds-eye view of the.htm

An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion
... AN EYE-WITNESS'S ACCOUNT OF THE CRUCIFIXION. 'And He bearing His cross
went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which ...
/.../an eye-witnesss account of the.htm

Tatian Speaks as an Eye-Witness.
... Chapter XXXV."Tatian Speaks as an Eye-Witness. The things which I have
thus set before you I have not learned at second hand. ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxxv tatian speaks as an.htm

Resources
Is there such a thing as the evil eye? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “the eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22)? | GotQuestions.org

Eye: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Eye

Eye for an Eye

Eye of Evil Desire, Never Satisfied

Eye: Anthropomorphic Uses of

Eye: The offending

The Eye of the Mind

The Eye: (Anointing With Eyesalve) of Healing by the Spirit

The Eye: (Open) Spiritual Illumination

The Eye: A Guard to be Set On

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Directing

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Seeing

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Weeping

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Winking

The Eye: Consumed by Grief

The Eye: Consumed by Sickness

The Eye: Frequently Fair

The Eye: God: Enlightens

The Eye: God: Formed

The Eye: God: Made

The Eye: God: Opens

The Eye: Grows Dim by Age

The Eye: Grows Dim by Sorrow

The Eye: Made Red by Wine

The Eye: Not Evil Thing to be Set Before

The Eye: Not Satisfied With Riches

The Eye: Not Satisfied With Seeing

The Eye: Often Put out As a Punishment

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Apple or Ball

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Brow

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Lid

The Eye: Punishment for Injuring

The Eye: Sometimes Blemished

The Eye: Sometimes Tender

The Eye: The Jewish Women often Painted

The Eye: The Jews: Cast, on the Ground in Humiliation

The Eye: The Jews: Not to Make Baldness Between

The Eye: The Jews: Raised Up, in Prayer

The Eye: The Jews: Wore Their Phylacteries Between

The Eye: The Light of the Body

The Eye: The Light of, Rejoices the Heart

Related Terms

Eye-witnesses (4 Occurrences)

Eye's (1 Occurrence)

Eye-witness (2 Occurrences)

Eye-service (2 Occurrences)

Eye-services (1 Occurrence)

Eye-sight (1 Occurrence)

Eye-brows (1 Occurrence)

Eye-salve (1 Occurrence)

Mote (6 Occurrences)

Log (12 Occurrences)

Plank (5 Occurrences)

Speck (6 Occurrences)

Splinter (5 Occurrences)

Wood (226 Occurrences)

Brother's (46 Occurrences)

Beam (17 Occurrences)

Single (65 Occurrences)

Tooth (7 Occurrences)

Beholdest (6 Occurrences)

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)

Bit (46 Occurrences)

Dust (182 Occurrences)

Apple (8 Occurrences)

Eyesight (7 Occurrences)

Pull (32 Occurrences)

Rather (176 Occurrences)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Grain (413 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Thrown (126 Occurrences)

Pluck (41 Occurrences)

Stumble (89 Occurrences)

Allow (86 Occurrences)

Better (218 Occurrences)

Vain (141 Occurrences)

Lookest (8 Occurrences)

Wilt (324 Occurrences)

Wink (2 Occurrences)

Thyself (352 Occurrences)

Restores (10 Occurrences)

Either (152 Occurrences)

Pretender (1 Occurrence)

Behold (1513 Occurrences)

Beholding (45 Occurrences)

Canst (62 Occurrences)

Consider (178 Occurrences)

Considerest (5 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Sawdust (2 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Gehenna (12 Occurrences)

Trouble (477 Occurrences)

Clearly (67 Occurrences)

Offend (24 Occurrences)

Brother (402 Occurrences)

False (303 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Causing (248 Occurrences)

Clear (641 Occurrences)

Remove (173 Occurrences)

Pay (212 Occurrences)

Strikes (39 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

View (86 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Kite (3 Occurrences)

Gouge (4 Occurrences)

Waits (21 Occurrences)

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)

Wasteth (10 Occurrences)

Freeman (9 Occurrences)

Refined (26 Occurrences)

Easier (8 Occurrences)

Destroys (23 Occurrences)

Marred (7 Occurrences)

Manservant (14 Occurrences)

Maid's (2 Occurrences)

Pupil (4 Occurrences)

Paint (3 Occurrences)

Eye
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