Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth, thou shall not kill, hipocracy?

Question

I was just wondering if anyone else felt that way

Answer 1

Ghandi said that if we follow, an eye for an eye, the world soon will be blind................

Answer 2

Neither are necessarily hypocrisy. What those ideas represent is an ideal standard of behavior, to which we humans do not consistently adhere.

It would be good to bear in mind that the "eye for an eye" bit was originally intended as a limiting statute, forbidding anyone from punishing an offender beyond the damage that offender caused.

Answer 3

It wasn't hypocrisy at the time it was written. Back then it was actually a limitation on how much revenge you could wreak. You could kill a murderer, but just him. Not his wife. Not his children. Not his brother. For its time, it was progressive legislation.

A Jewish court that invoked a death sentence once every seven years was considered a 'bloody court.' Even though it was legally permissible, it wasn't societally acceptable.

Today most Jews are adamantly opposed to capital punishment.

That text has a long history.

Answer 4

The correct translation of "Thou shalt not kill" is in reality "thou shalt not murder" as has been stated by Jewish scholars of the Old Testament. Killing in old testament law is not always considered a sin, but rather is condoned if for just cause:

If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 NLT)

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)

2) Suppose a man or woman among you, in one of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, has done evil in the sight of the LORD your God and has violated the covenant by serving other gods or by worshiping the sun, the moon, or any of the forces of heaven, which I have strictly forbidden. When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then that man or woman must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 17:2-5 NLT)

"If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." (Leviticus 20:13 NAB)


Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15 NAB)

Answer 5

eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth was the old way...Jesus taught turn the other cheek and love your enemies.

~ Eric Putkonen

Answer 6

Jesus said

MT 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Answer 7

The Old Testament gave the "eye for an eye" standard as a limitation on the amount of punishment an injured party could justly exact. That is, you can't take a harsher vengeance than the offense warrants. To impose the death penalty for minor theft -- (as was frequently done in human history, unfortunately) -- is going beyond fairness. In the New Testament, Jesus gave us the new standard, that we ought not only limit our vengeance, but we ought not to seek vengeance at all. In the commandment against killing, the original Old Testament standard merely said "you shall not kill", (using the Hebrew word equivalent to our word "murder"), leaving all kinds of loopholes for killing other than murder, such as war. In the New Testament, Jesus again pointed to a different standard, that we ought not only to avoid killing, but ought to avoid the attitudes of anger which make us want to kill. The hypocrisy is in our habit of looking for loopholes, trying to justify exceptions, in order to satisfy our anger. Under the Old Testament standards, which were based on limiting permissible actions, it was easier for us to make up loopholes. That hypocrisy is harder to play at under the New standard, which says "It's not your action but your attitude which is the problem".

Answer 8

I was always taught that this applied only in the times of the Old Testament.....The vengefull GOD became forgiving after Jesus died for our SINS. Jesus was the last One True Sacrafice......his death should have put an end to the bloodshed. I dont really buy into the whole Christian thing though.....

Answer 9

I understand what you are saying, but keep in mind when Jesus came, He promised the new covenant. Like "pray for those who persecute you." And "There is no greater love than a man for his friends,who will lay down his life for theirs." And the other one there, "offer him your other cheek if he strikes you," something to that effect. Moses isn't as highly regarded as Jesus either.
But I do agree, there are quite a few discrepancies in the bible actually.

Answer 10

The correct translation for kill in regard to this passage and the Ten Commandments is murder. God does authorize killing under certain circumstances. This is not as complex an issue as you may think. Basically, God authorizes the killing of those who refuse to accept his covenants. God always gives the sinner multiple chances to repent and obey him, but when a sinner just refuses to cooperate, then God hands him over to Satan. All killing outside of murder is sanctioned by God. Murder is killing without God's permission. I cannot speak for God as to why he has established this rule, I just accept it as part of his written and revealed word. Mercy and forgiveness are always preferred to killing, and rarely is war justified. Killing and murder happen because of our sin nature, which results in pride. Murder is committed out of personal pride. If a person walks in a constant state of forgiveness, then there is no need to kill or even think of killing. As far as Jesus is concerned, the thought of committing murder is just as evil as the act itself, because given enough time and the right circumstances a person will carry out his thought life.

Answer 11

you are not suppose to have an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth