<P> 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 biblical phrase `` an eye for an eye '' in Exodus and Leviticus ( עין תחת עין ‬ , ayin tachat ayin ) literally means ' an eye 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 ( in Deuteronomy ) of the Hebrew Bible , specifically , in the first of its three subdivisions , the Torah . For example , a passage in Leviticus states , `` And a man who injures his countryman -- as he has done , so it shall be done to him ( namely , ) fracture for fracture , eye for eye , tooth for tooth . Just as he has injured a person , so it shall be done to him . '' ( Lev. 24 : 19 -- 21 ) </P>
<P> 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 biblical phrase `` an eye for an eye '' in Exodus and Leviticus ( עין תחת עין ‬ , ayin tachat ayin ) literally means ' an eye 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 ( in Deuteronomy ) of the Hebrew Bible , specifically , in the first of its three subdivisions , the Torah . For example , a passage in Leviticus states , `` And a man who injures his countryman -- as he has done , so it shall be done to him ( namely , ) fracture for fracture , eye for eye , tooth for tooth . Just as he has injured a person , so it shall be done to him . '' ( Lev. 24 : 19 -- 21 ) </P>
where does the eye for an eye come from
where does the eye for an eye come from
Hebrew bible
Hebrew bible