The principle of “an eye for an eye” is one of the most well-known biblical concepts, often cited in discussions about justice and retribution.
Found in the Old Testament, it’s a phrase that has sparked debates and discussions about its true meaning and relevance in today’s world.
In this post, we’ll delve deep into the Bible to explore the verses that mention “an eye for an eye,” examining their context and the broader message they convey.
Join us on this enlightening journey through scripture as we seek to understand the profound wisdom encapsulated in these verses.
Bible Verse About Eye For An Eye
1. Exodus 21:24
“If there is an injury, then you shall give life for life.”
2. Leviticus 24:19-20
“If a man injures his neighbor, as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has injured someone, so it shall be done to him.”
3. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
4. Exodus 21:23-25
“But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
5. Numbers 35:31
“Moreover, you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.”
6. Deuteronomy 19:19
“Then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
7. Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
8. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
9. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'”
10. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
Understanding the Principle of Retribution
11. Exodus 21:24
“If there is an injury, then you shall give life for life.”
12. Leviticus 24:19-20
“If a man injures his neighbor, as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has injured someone, so it shall be done to him.”
13. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
14. Exodus 21:23-25
“But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
15. Numbers 35:31
“Moreover, you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.”
16. Deuteronomy 19:19
“Then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
17. Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
18. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
19. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'”
20. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
The Biblical Basis for “An Eye for an Eye”
21. Exodus 21:24
“If there is an injury, then you shall give life for life.”
22. Leviticus 24:19-20
“If a man injures his neighbor, as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has injured someone, so it shall be done to him.”
23. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
24. Exodus 21:23-25
“But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
25. Numbers 35:31
“Moreover, you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.”
26. Deuteronomy 19:19
“Then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
27. Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
28. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
29. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'”
30. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
Contextual Interpretation of Eye for an Eye
31. Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
32. Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
33. Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
34. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
35. Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
36. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
37. Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
38. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
39. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
40. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
Jesus’ Teaching on Turning the Other Cheek
41. Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
42. Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
43. Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
44. Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
45. Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
46. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
47. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
48. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
49. Matthew 26:52
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'”
50. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the New Testament
51. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
52. Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
53. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
54. Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
55. Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
56. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
57. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
58. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'”
59. Romans 14:19
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
60. Luke 17:3-4
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Conclusion
In our exploration of Bible verses about “an eye for an eye,” we’ve uncovered a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on justice and retribution.
While these verses appear straightforward on the surface, their true meaning emerges when considered within the broader context of scripture.
They teach us not only about fairness and accountability but also about the value of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transformative power of love.
