An Eye for an Eye-Exodus 21:24

Exodus, Old Testament, Sermons

 

  • Video of Sunday Worship Service at WL on 03/27/2022.
  • Is “eye for eye” (Exo 21:24; Lev 24:20; Dt 19:21) a good reasonable principle / “law” to live by? Is this to be taken literally? Is it justice (Dt 24:16)?
  • Does it repel you as primitive, barbaric, inhumane and cruel?
  • Historically, was this ever carried out? If so, how?
  • What does the famous “lex talionis” [Latin] mean?
  • How is this a major advance from the barbaric mayhem of revenge cultures?
  • What did Gandhi say about “an eye for an eye”?
  • What did Jesus say about “eye for eye” (Mt 5:38-48)? What did Paul say (Rom 12:17-19)? What does Proverbs say (Prov 20:22)? How do you live this out (Lk 23:34)? How did Jim Elliot?
  • What is the context for the Bible/Moses/God giving us such a law / statement / principle / ordinance / casuistic?

Lex talionis [Law of Retaliation]–based on “an eye for an eye” (Exo 21:22-25; Lev 24:19-22; Dt 19:21; Mt 5:38-39)–is well known. We think it’s primitive, horrible, grotesque and barbaric–to pluck out someone’s eye who damaged or destroyed our eye. But we also don’t know the context of why the Bible [God] would give such a gross sounding law that surely we modern people are far more civilized and advanced beyond such a terrible law. But are we really?

Pacifism and non–violence. What Gandhi said about “an eye for an eye,” and most famously Jesus said in the Sermon on The Mount, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Mt 5:38-39). Jesus’ words touched the lives of countless people to become gentle, non-violent, non-retaliatory people who have brought and promoted peace in the world. Ben Hur’s hatred of Marsala was quenced when he heard Jesus on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them” (Lk 23:34). Later he said, “I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand.” Because of Jesus’ words of non-retaliation, I’ve thought for 4 decades as a Christian that “eye for eye” is really a bad negative primitive revengeful principle of life. But…

Lex talionis:

  • in Jewish history was never taken literally. Only “life for life” (Exo 21:23) was meant literally (Exo 21:12, 14; Gen 9:6).
  • is calling only for proportional monetary damages.
  • limits the impulse to take revenge by restricting the amount–no more than an eye for an eye–and the object of punishment.
  • means that only the perpetrator is punished–not his wife or children.
  • ignores the social class of the victim.
  • removes the punishment–announced in advance–from the realm of discretion and limits favor to members of one’s own class/group/ethnicity.
  • rejects the idea of revenge.
  • acknowledges human hotheadedness, while denying it any honored place in human life.
  • protects women and children [who are most at risk when men fight (Exo 21:22-23)].

Exodus chapters 21-22: Slaves, Singles, Strive and Strangers.

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