<P> The principle was first referenced in the Code of Hammurabi , which predates the Hebrew bible . In the Hebrew Law , the `` eye for eye '' was to restrict compensation to the value of the loss . Thus , it might be better read ' only one eye for one eye ' . The idiomatic biblical phrase `` an eye for an eye '' in Exodus and Leviticus ( עין תחת עין ‬ , ayin tachat ayin ) literally means ' an eye under / ( in place of ) an eye ' while a slightly different phrase ( עַיִן בְּעַיִן שֵׁן בְּשֵׁן , literally `` eye for an eye ; tooth for a tooth '' ) is used in another passage ( Deuteronomy ) in the context of possible reciprocal court sentences for failed false witnesses . The passage in Leviticus states , `` And a man who injures his countryman -- as he has done , so it shall be done to him ( namely , ) fracture under / for fracture , eye under / for eye , tooth under / for tooth . Just as another person has received injury from him , so it will be given to him . '' ( Lev. 24 : 19 -- 21 ) . For an example of תחת ‬ being used in its regular sense of under , see Lev. 22 : 27 `` A bull , sheep or goat , when it is born shall remain under its mother , and from the eighth day ... '' </P>
<P> The principle was first referenced in the Code of Hammurabi , which predates the Hebrew bible . In the Hebrew Law , the `` eye for eye '' was to restrict compensation to the value of the loss . Thus , it might be better read ' only one eye for one eye ' . The idiomatic biblical phrase `` an eye for an eye '' in Exodus and Leviticus ( עין תחת עין ‬ , ayin tachat ayin ) literally means ' an eye under / ( in place of ) an eye ' while a slightly different phrase ( עַיִן בְּעַיִן שֵׁן בְּשֵׁן , literally `` eye for an eye ; tooth for a tooth '' ) is used in another passage ( Deuteronomy ) in the context of possible reciprocal court sentences for failed false witnesses . The passage in Leviticus states , `` And a man who injures his countryman -- as he has done , so it shall be done to him ( namely , ) fracture under / for fracture , eye under / for eye , tooth under / for tooth . Just as another person has received injury from him , so it will be given to him . '' ( Lev. 24 : 19 -- 21 ) . For an example of תחת ‬ being used in its regular sense of under , see Lev. 22 : 27 `` A bull , sheep or goat , when it is born shall remain under its mother , and from the eighth day ... '' </P>
where did the term an eye for an eye come from
where did the term an eye for an eye come from
the Code of Hammurabi
the Code of Hammurabi