2006-07-25 20:17:52 · 12 answers · asked by mavric81 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
1) The specific expression "an eye for an eye" is derived from the Bible. It is best known from
Jesus' reference to it in Matthew 5:38, especially as found in the King James Version --
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth'"
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt_5:38;&version=9
He is referring back to "Law of Moses", esp. to Deuteronomy 19:21
-"Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dt_19:21
Compare the similar language of Exodus 21:24-25
-" If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. Similarly, the payment must be hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. "
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ex_21:24-25
2) The PRINCIPLE (called the "lex taliones" or "law of retaliation") embodied in the phrase is found in the "legal code" of Hammurabi, King of Babylon in the 18th century BC. The precise expression "an eye for an eye" is not found, but there is something quite close to this:
“if an awilu [a particular social class] should blind the eye of another awilu, they shall blind his eye” (Law # 196 [xi 45-9]).
http://www.gmalivuk.com/otherstuff/fall02/danking.htm
http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm
3) Note that the idea is one of "proportionate punishment". That is, the punishment ought to be appropriate to the crime. Do notice though that the punishment was NOT the same if the injured person was from a lower class (Law #198 -"If he put out the eye of a freed man, or break the bone of a freed man, he shall pay one gold mina.")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_eye_for_an_eye
2006-07-26 07:35:33 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The origin of that saying is:
From the Code of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was King of Babylon, 1792-1750BC. The code survives today in the Akkadian language. Used in the Bible, Matthew 5:38:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
2006-07-25 20:30:46 · answer #2 · answered by kewtber 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the Code of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was King of Babylon, 1792-1750BC. The code survives today in the Akkadian language. Used in the Bible, Matthew 5:38:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
2006-07-25 20:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by bmhk7925 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its from the Code of Hammurabi, a Babylonian king.
2006-07-26 20:11:29 · answer #4 · answered by Ken W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's from the Code of Hammurabi, the rules of an early Babylonian king, and one of the earliest written codes of law in human history.
2006-07-25 20:22:25 · answer #5 · answered by yeldarb_2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hammurabi
2006-07-26 05:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hammurabi's (babylon, 1780 BC) laws are the oldest remaining code of law, and it was based on this idea.
2006-07-25 20:22:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-14 14:04:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the code of hammurabi
2006-07-27 11:35:51 · answer #9 · answered by mandy w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it was that king guy....GOD.
2006-07-25 20:22:48 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋