Exodus 21:24

KJV

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

KJV (with Strong's)

Eye {H5869} for eye {H5869}, tooth {H8127} for tooth {H8127}, hand {H3027} for hand {H3027}, foot {H7272} for foot {H7272},

Complete Jewish Bible

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Berean Standard Bible

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

American Standard Version

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 21:24, "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot," articulates the foundational principle of proportionate justice, known as *Lex Talionis*, within the Mosaic Law. This divine decree served not as a mandate for personal vengeance, but as a strict legal limitation on retribution, ensuring that penalties in ancient Israelite society were precisely commensurate with the harm inflicted, thereby preventing excessive punishment and fostering a just and orderly community under God's covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the "Book of the Covenant" found in [Exodus 20:22-23:33](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20-23 - The Book of the Covenant"), a comprehensive collection of civil and criminal laws given by God to Moses immediately following the Ten Commandments. These statutes were designed to govern the newly formed nation of Israel, providing a detailed framework for societal order, ethical conduct, and judicial administration. The laws in this section, including the *Lex Talionis*, transition from the broad moral principles of the Decalogue to specific applications concerning personal injury, property rights, and social responsibilities, establishing a legal system that reflected God's character of justice and righteousness for His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The principle of "eye for eye" (Latin: *Lex Talionis*, "law of retaliation") was not unique to Israel, with similar concepts appearing in other ancient Near Eastern legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi. However, a crucial distinction of the Israelite application was its primary function as a *limitation* on vengeance rather than an encouragement of it. In a world where personal retaliation often escalated disproportionately, this divine law set a precise ceiling for retribution, ensuring that the punishment would not exceed the original offense. It was a legal standard for judges and authorities to administer justice in a courtroom setting, not a license for individuals to exact personal revenge. This principle aimed to prevent cycles of escalating violence and promote a measured, equitable system of justice, reflecting God's concern for fairness and the sanctity of human life within His community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eye (עַיִן, _ayin'_):** This word, along with "tooth," "hand," and "foot," represents specific body parts that could suffer injury. In the context of *Lex Talionis*, "eye" stands as a metonym for the specific injury sustained. The repetition of these terms emphasizes the precise nature of the damage and, by extension, the precise nature of the required recompense. It underscores the concept of exact equivalence in the legal system, ensuring that the penalty directly addresses the physical harm caused.
* **for (תַּחַת, _tachat'_):** The Hebrew preposition *tachat* literally means "under," "in place of," or "instead of." In this context, it signifies substitution or equivalence. It is not merely "an eye *and* an eye," but "an eye *in place of* an eye." This highlights the compensatory nature of the law, where the penalty or restitution is intended to be a direct substitute for the loss or damage incurred. This preposition is crucial for understanding the principle as one of balanced exchange rather than arbitrary infliction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Eye for eye":** This phrase establishes the core principle of proportionate justice. If an eye is lost or severely damaged due to another's action, the compensation or penalty should be equivalent to the loss of an eye. This was often interpreted as monetary compensation equal to the value of an eye, rather than literal physical mutilation, especially in cases where the perpetrator's life or limb was not directly at stake (e.g., in accidental injury or property damage leading to injury).
* **"tooth for tooth":** Extending the principle, this applies to dental injuries. The recompense for a lost tooth must be equivalent to the value or impact of that loss. This reiterates the meticulousness of the law in addressing specific bodily harms.
* **"hand for hand":** This broadens the application to injuries affecting a hand. The severity of the injury to the hand (e.g., a broken bone, a severed limb) would dictate the precise nature of the "hand for hand" compensation, again emphasizing equivalence.
* **"foot for foot":** Similarly, injuries to the foot fall under this principle. The law ensures that for every specific injury, there is a corresponding, precisely measured penalty or restitution. The cumulative effect of these phrases is to create a comprehensive, yet limited, framework for addressing bodily harm within the Israelite legal system.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 21:24 is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism with a cumulative effect. Each phrase ("eye for eye," "tooth for tooth," "hand for hand," "foot for foot") repeats the same grammatical structure and legal principle, reinforcing the concept of exact equivalence. This repetition not only emphasizes the principle of proportionate justice but also demonstrates its broad application to various bodily injuries. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is evident, where the body part (e.g., "eye") stands in for the injury itself and the subsequent compensation. The use of specific body parts makes the abstract concept of justice concrete and relatable, ensuring that the law's intent—to provide precise and limited retribution—is clearly understood.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The *Lex Talionis* in Exodus 21:24 reveals God's character as a God of justice and order, providing a legal framework that prevented unchecked vengeance and promoted equity within His covenant community. It underscores the sanctity of human life and the importance of accountability for actions that cause harm. While seemingly harsh to modern ears, this principle was revolutionary in its time, establishing a ceiling for retribution and ensuring that punishment would not exceed the crime, thereby curbing societal chaos and promoting a measured approach to justice. It reflects a divine concern for fairness and the protection of the vulnerable from disproportionate retaliation.

* [Leviticus 24:20](/leviticus/24-20 "Leviticus 24:20 - The Law of Retaliation Repeated")
* [Deuteronomy 19:21](/deuteronomy/19-21 "Deuteronomy 19:21 - Justice in False Witness")
* [Matthew 5:38-39](/matthew/5-38 "Matthew 5:38-39 - Jesus' Teaching on Retaliation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 21:24, while rooted in an ancient legal system, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of justice who cares deeply about fairness and accountability for harm caused. While modern legal systems have evolved beyond literal physical retribution, the underlying principle of proportionate justice remains foundational, informing concepts like equitable sentencing, civil damages, and the idea that consequences should match the offense. For us, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that justice is not about personal vengeance but about the measured administration of what is right. It calls us to trust in God's ultimate justice, whether through established authorities or His divine judgment, rather than succumbing to the impulse for personal retaliation, which often leads to disproportionate and destructive outcomes. It challenges us to reflect on how we seek justice in our own lives and communities, always striving for fairness and restraint, and recognizing the higher call to grace and forgiveness in personal interactions, as exemplified by Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of "eye for eye" challenge modern notions of personal vengeance versus institutional justice?**
* **In what ways does this ancient law still inform our understanding of fair consequences and accountability today?**
* **How can believers reconcile the Old Testament's legal principle of "eye for eye" with Jesus' New Testament teaching on turning the other cheek?**

### FAQ
**Did "eye for eye" mean literal physical retaliation in ancient Israel?**

Answer: While the phrase "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" sounds like literal physical retribution, biblical scholars and ancient Near Eastern legal experts largely agree that its primary application in Israel was as a legal principle for judges, often resulting in monetary compensation rather than physical mutilation. The purpose was to ensure that the punishment or restitution was precisely equivalent to the injury sustained, preventing excessive retaliation. For instance, if a person accidentally caused the loss of another's eye, the offender would pay the monetary value of an eye, not necessarily lose their own. This interpretation is supported by other passages in the Book of the Covenant, such as [Exodus 21:18-19](/exodus/21-18 "Exodus 21:18-19 - Compensation for Injury"), which describe monetary compensation for injuries. The law served as a strict limitation on vengeance, ensuring fairness and preventing an escalating cycle of violence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principle of "eye for eye" finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in its abrogation, but in its elevation and reinterpretation through the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law established a necessary framework for societal justice and limited human vengeance, Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, moved beyond the legalistic application to a higher standard of personal ethics for His followers. He declared, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" ([Matthew 5:38-39](/matthew/5-38 "Matthew 5:38-39 - Jesus' Teaching on Non-Retaliation")). Here, Jesus was not dismantling the civil law's role in society, but calling His disciples to a radical ethic of non-retaliation, forgiveness, and sacrificial love in personal interactions, even towards those who wrong them. This culminates in His own ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He, the innocent [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), took upon Himself the "eye for eye" of humanity's sin, offering grace and redemption instead of demanding proportionate retribution. Through Christ, the principle shifts from demanding exact payment for injury to offering boundless mercy and calling believers to reflect God's own character of self-giving love, even to enemies ([Luke 6:27-36](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27-36 - Love Your Enemies")). He fulfills the law by embodying the perfect justice and mercy that it foreshadowed, transforming a rule of equivalence into a call for redemptive grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.