Many think it means if you kill someone you should be killed.
I think it means if you steal something they don't cut your hand off.
In other words "The punishment MEETS, and does not EXCEED the crime."
2006-08-11 18:36:37 · 16 answers · asked by ldoc60 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
More to the point. Does it mean to meet the punishment of the crime or do not exeed..... or go overboard on the punishment?
2006-08-11 18:49:05 · update #1
You are exactly correct. The phrase is of biblical origin, and is indeed intended to proscribe disproportionate punishment.
2006-08-11 18:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The phrase "an eye for an eye" is a quotation from Exodus 21:23-27, expresses a principle of retributive justice. The basis of this form of law is the principle of proportionate punishment, often expressed under the motto "Let the punishment fit the crime", which particularly applies to mirror punishments (which may or may not be proportional). This early belief is reflected in the code of Hammurabi and in the laws of the Old Testament (e.g., Exodus 21:23-25. Leviticus 24:18-20, Deuteronomy 19:21).
2006-08-12 01:44:01 · answer #2 · answered by af4sguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In ancient days, the concept of stealing, and such material crimes were not fully evolved. When a person wants something belonging to another, then killing is the only option. slowly , disabling another person evolved as a refined choice. Basic common sense prevailed ! Eye is the most important of all sense organs, and disabling seemed reasonable with depriving some sense organ ! So, the equal matching revenge evolved as 'eye for an eye'! This seems to be a reasonable arguement/logic , though it is very difficult to lay hands on any documented authentic original evidence to find out !
2006-08-12 02:39:20 · answer #3 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An eye for an eye was Humurabis code of law while the issue of
cutting hand off is to do with Islamic law which I believe you are not conversant with.For your information,it is not on any form of
stealing or theft that a hand is cut off.It takes sound jurists alot of deliberations to arrive on the suitability or otherwise before
such a judgement could be passed.Moreso it affects only those that believe in the provision of this law.This is just to briefly answer your question.I believe you will get more answers.
2006-08-12 02:10:15 · answer #4 · answered by danju_ma 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eye for an eye is a literal meaning. Not the punishment suites the crime. It means whatever it was you did will be done to you.
2006-08-12 02:25:38 · answer #5 · answered by tripleseven13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say if you kill someone with your bare hands chop of their hands and make them sit life on death row but don't kill them so they can be scared and suffer thinking there gonna die for something they did. If a guy rapes someone chop off there penis if a girl rapes someone close up her pussy again jail time as well. I say punishment meet and does not exceed because no one deserves to die especially if they killed someone let them suffer!
2006-08-12 02:35:12 · answer #6 · answered by ~Bethany~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is called measure for measure. When punishing someone for a crime the punishment is equal to the crime. If someone takes your eye his I must be taken for justice.
2006-08-12 01:43:27 · answer #7 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An Eye for an Eye means that everyone will eventually be blind. Have you ever read the book, "In the land of the Blind The One Eyed Man is King'? You can google it and find it anywear
2006-08-12 01:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by indigo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even swap for the punishment to fit the crime. Jesus says so! Jesus Alou, however!
2006-08-12 01:45:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If u take 2 of my goats I take two of yours...apply to any harm done to you by another or vice versa
2006-08-12 01:39:16 · answer #10 · answered by The Disappearing Act 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋