Bible scholars believe that Exodus 21 contains the summary of judgments in specific situations that form a type of case law for making future decisions. Moses had spent significant time during the first three months of the Exodus settling disputes among the people by informing them of God's decrees and instructions ( Exodus 18:13-23). The weakest or poorest person among them had the same rights as the wealthiest or strongest. The law was to be their guide and standard. The people of Israel were different than the nations around them. The expression, “Might makes right” summarizes the rule of law in ancient times. The Egyptian rulers were arbitrary and unjust. In Egypt, the Israelites had been slaves of Pharaoh. Successfully traveling across the desert with 2.5 million relatives meant having a common set of rules and standards for everyone in the community. Imagine a three-month camping trip with almost everyone who lives in the city of Chicago! Over 600,000 men, not including women and children, left Egypt, and scholars estimate about 2.5 million people were in the Exodus ( Exodus 12:37). God gave Moses these commands only three months after the Hebrews escaped slavery in Egypt ( Exodus 19:1). The previous chapter of Exodus contains the Ten Commandments.
#EYE FOR AN EYE OLD TESTAMENT SERIES#
It is in a series of commands regarding assault and injury. The first time the expression “ an eye for an eye” is used in the Bible is in Exodus 21:24. An Eye for an Eye in the Old Testament - Exodus 21:24 Both Jewish and Christian scholars believe that “eye for eye” was used by judges to create proportionate penalties for harm caused to other people or animals, and that people were not maimed in the application of this law. Many people wonder if “eye for eye” was used literally in carrying out biblical judgments. Yet this phrase is found three times in the Old Testament and is quoted by Jesus in the New Testament. An eye for an eye seems to be a simplistic form of justice that is focused on retribution.
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