The above is a biblical, judicial order for the purpose of punishment. It, along with “a tooth for a tooth,” “hand for a hand,” “foot for a foot,” etc., is stated several times in the Old Testament ( Exodus 21: 23-25; Leviticus 24: 20; Deuteronomy 19: 21). Unfortunately, some, especially in foreign countries, read and apply it literally in their law. They believe the command calls for actual body mutilation.

Is that a correct reading? Exodus 21: 26, 27, which follows the judicial admonition, helps us understand what the Bible writers meant in these verses.

“If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.”

As can be seen, the writers aren’t calling for actual body mutilation. Instead, their purpose behind “eye for an eye” is a striving concern that whatever penalty is levied; it be a penalty that is of just compensation. Punishment that is proportional to the crime was to be the standard. The “eye for an eye” standard was a principle that also prevented the rich from exacting more severe and cruel punishments on the poor.

However, there is one exception to this judicial order of retaliation. If one is found guilty of murder, the Bible’s injunction is to be taken literally, as in capital punishment’s “a life for a life.”