Would biblical-era courts recognize punitive damages?

Question

Is the phrase, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" meant to be used as a standard sentence, or as a limiting statute?

Obviously, there did not exist the well-defined courts system we use today, but what further references in the Bible can show how God wants us to punish one another?

As a limiting statute, there would be no opportunity for victims to obtain compensation for pain and suffering, as damages would be limited to costs incurred.

Is it that the concept of reparations simply did not include the pain and suffering inflicted by those convicted in those times?

Answer 1

There was a difference if someone had been warned, but did not heed the warning:

Exodus 21:28-35

28 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its meat may not be eaten, but the ox’s owner is innocent.

29 However, if the ox was in the habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned, and its owner must also be put to death.

30 If instead a ransom is demanded of him, he can pay a redemption price for his life in the full amount demanded from him.

31 If it gores a son or a daughter, he is to be dealt with according to this same law.

32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, he must give 30 shekels of silver to the slave’s master, and the ox must be stoned.

33 “When a man uncovers a pit or digs a pit, and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit must give compensation; he must pay money to its owner, but the dead animal will become his.

35 “When a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s ox and it dies, they must sell the live ox and divide its proceeds; they must also divide the dead animal. 36 If, however, it is known that the ox was in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not restrained it, he must compensate fully, ox for ox; the dead animal will become his.

Answer 2

I don't believe there were any courts in the modern sense. There were edicts from the emperor or other crown and maybe trial by ordeal I think.

There is "The Epic of Gilgamesh", the oldest known human writing, which was written prior to the Bible and the Iliad and the Odyssey, as a non-Biblical portrayal of those early times.

God does not want us to "punish one another" but to "love your enemies, turn the other cheek and forgive 7 times 70 times".