eye for an eye
What does the Bible say about eye for an eye? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
11 passages · most helpful first
24an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,
38You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.
38You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
21You shall not take pity on him. Instead, you shall require a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot.”
17Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, in so far as you are able, be at peace with all men. 19Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones. Instead, step aside from wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is mine. I shall give retribution, says the Lord.”
23But if her death will have followed, he will repay a life for a life, 24an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25a scrape for a scrape, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.
20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, shall he repay. Whatever degree of blemish he has inflicted, so shall he be compelled to suffer.
22If men will have quarreled, and one of them has struck a pregnant woman, and as a result she miscarries, but she herself survives, he shall be subject to as much damage as the husband of the woman shall petition from him, or as arbitrators shall judge. 23But if her death will have followed, he will repay a life for a life, 24an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25a scrape for a scrape, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.
19Whoever will have inflicted a blemish on any of his citizens, just as he has done, so shall it be done to him: 20fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, shall he repay. Whatever degree of blemish he has inflicted, so shall he be compelled to suffer.
1“These are the judgments which you shall place before them: 2If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve you; in the seventh, he shall depart freely, without charge. 3With whatever clothing he arrived, with the like let him depart. If he has a wife, his wife also shall depart, at the same time. 4But if his lord gave him a wife, and she has borne sons and daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her lord. Yet still, he himself will go out with his clothing. 5And if the servant will say, ‘I love my lord, and my wife and children, I will not depart freely,’ 6then his lord shall make an offering for him to the heavens, and it shall be applied to the door and the posts, and he will pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall be his servant in perpetuity.
38You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also. 40And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also. 41And whoever will have compelled you for one thousand steps, go with him even for two thousand steps. 42Whoever asks of you, give to him. And if anyone would borrow from you, do not turn away from him.