The phrase “An eye for an eye” is one of the most well-known and often quoted passages from the Bible, yet its meaning and significance extend far beyond its simple words.
Found in various verses within the biblical text, this principle has sparked centuries of theological debate, ethical contemplation, and even influenced legal systems.
In this post, we will delve into the origins, interpretations, and modern-day relevance of the “An eye for an eye” Bible verse, shedding light on its profound teachings and the lessons it imparts to our contemporary world.
An Eye For an Eye Bible Verse
1. Exodus 21:24
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
2. Leviticus 24:20
“Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given 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. Matthew 5:38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'”
5. Luke 6:29
“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.”
6. Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
7. 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.”
8. Exodus 22:1
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.”
9. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.”
10. 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.'”
Understanding the Context: An Eye for an Eye in Biblical Times:
11. Exodus 21:22
“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.”
12. Leviticus 24:17
“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.”
13. Deuteronomy 21:1-9
“If in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess someone is found slain, lying in the open country, and it is not known who killed him, then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure the distance to the surrounding cities.”
14. Exodus 22:2
“If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.”
15. 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.”
16. Matthew 5:39
“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.”
17. Luke 23:34
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'”
18. 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.'”
19. Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
20. 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.”
Interpreting ‘An Eye for an Eye’ in Modern Ethics:
21. 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.”
22. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
23. 1 Peter 3:11
“Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
24. Proverbs 17:13
“If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.”
25. 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.'”
26. James 4:12
“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
27. 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.”
28. Proverbs 24:17-18
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.”
29. 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.”
30. Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Comparing Retribution and Forgiveness in Biblical Teachings
31. 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.”
32. 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.”
33. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
34. 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.”
35. 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.”
36. Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
37. 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-seven times.'”
38. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”
39. Psalm 103:10-12
“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
40. Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
The Evolution of Justice: ‘An Eye for an Eye’ in Legal Systems
41. Leviticus 24:20
“Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.”
42. Exodus 21:24
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
43. 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.”
44. Exodus 22:1
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.”
45. Matthew 5:38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'”
46. Romans 13:4
“For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
47. 1 Peter 2:13-14
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”
48. Hebrews 10:30
“For we know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.'”
49. Proverbs 21:15
“When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
50. Isaiah 61:8
“For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”
Lessons from ‘An Eye for an Eye’: Seeking Restorative Justice
51. Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
52. Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
53. Proverbs 11:17
“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
54. James 5:16
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
55. Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
56. Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
57. Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
58. Romans 14:19
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
59. Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
60. Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Conclusion
In exploring the “An eye for an eye” Bible verse, we have journeyed through its historical context, examined its various interpretations, and contemplated its enduring relevance in today’s world.
This principle, while rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Bible, continues to offer valuable lessons to guide our lives. It challenges us to seek justice, practice forgiveness, and embrace the notion that our actions should reflect the principles of fairness and compassion.
The “An eye for an eye” principle encourages us to strive for a world where justice is served, yet tempered with mercy and kindness.
