Eye for an Eye – Meaning, Origin & Usage

When someone has been done wrong in some way, someone might pipe up with the phrase “an eye for an eye”. This is an idiom, and the meaning of the phrase cannot be deduced from the individual words, and instead has to consider the phrase as a whole.

In this article, we’re going to break down what is meant by the phrase and do a deep dive into how the phrase originated. We will then discuss how the phrase is used today, with the use of a few examples, before comparing and contrasting “an eye for an eye” with alternative sayings. Then we’ll wrap up with how the saying shapes justice systems, moral implications and debates.

Let’s get straight to it.

What does “eye for an eye” mean?

The saying “eye for an eye”, just like “tooth for a tooth”, is the idea that people should be punished according to the way in which they offended. It comes from the literal sense of taking someone’s eye because they took your eye. It is a term for retribution.

The phrase can be applied to all manner of wrongdoing. (But that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s always the best thing to do.)

The historical origins of the phrase “eye for an eye”

The phrase “an eye for an eye” originates from the principle of lex talionis, or the law of exact retaliation. This principle is based on the idea that a person who injures another should be penalized in a similar way. 

The earliest known use of the principle of lex talionis is in Hammurabi’s Code, which was created by the Babylonian king Hammurabi between 1792–50 BCE. The code was inscribed on a stone pillar and discovered by French archaeologists in 1901. 

The phrase “an eye for an eye” is also found in the Christian bible, including in the Book of Exodus 21:23–27, which also includes other examples of the principle, such as “tooth for a tooth” and “hand for hand”. A very similar expression can also be found in Deuteronomy 19:2. It’s part of a longer passage which states that there should be no pity for the guilty. Today, it is said that the phrase was intended to limit violence rather than encourage it.

The phrase also appears in the Gospel of Matthew 5:38–48. But there’s a stark contrast. Here, Jesus taught not to follow through on the principle of an eye for an eye, but to instead avoid retaliation, and to care for those who mistreat you. “Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.”

The phrase “an eye for an eye” is also a principle in Islamic law, where it is known as Qiṣāṣ.

Modern use of the phrase today, with examples

Here are some examples of the phrase in use:

• He’ll get what’s coming to him. An eye for an eye.
• I’m having justice. An eye for an eye.

Alternative sayings and how they compare

There are many phrases that are often used synonymously with “eye for an eye”. This includes: retaliation, revenge, and vengeance. These words refer to someone “getting their own back” for something. However, it can be argued that your enemy can get their comeuppance, in this sense, without you having to do the same to them as they did to you, or to your loved one.

Similarly, there’s also the phrase “compensation” to consider. Compensation is when someone receives compensation in the form of money, in order to compensate for something, such as for monies lost. When such cases go to court, it is often typical for the judge to order that the criminal repay exactly what is owed, which is in line with the saying “an eye for an eye”. Compensation is usually more concerned with retrieving what is owed rather than punishing the culprit.

How the saying shapes justice systems: moral implications and debates

The saying “eye for an eye” has shaped primitive justice systems from time immemorial. However, some critics say that the phrase is outdated and that societies should outgrow the need for revenge. Others say that two wrongs do not make a right, while others still say that punishing criminals doesn’t address the underlying issues that led to the crime.

It is said that when the phrase was being used early in the Bible, it was intended to limit violence rather than encourage it. However, later teachings that are said to come from Jesus have the effect of further limiting violence, saying that followers should love their enemies and treat them how they would like to be treated.

While wanting someone to suffer following their wrongdoing is a perfectly natural reaction, there is often time to consider matters before retaliating. And it is through this “pause for thought” that a justice system can be established.

In order for a society to function there need to be laws, and the laws need to be upheld. While once there was a time when murderers would expect to receive capital punishment, this is now very rarely the case. Similarly, these days serial criminals tend to be cordoned off from the rest of society, held in prisons, so that they cannot commit wrongdoing to good, law-abiding citizens.

Thus it could be argued that over the passage of time, justice systems have, on the whole, been moving away from “eye for an eye” and toward a more sensible and perhaps a more caring standpoint. Edging closer to Jesus’ teachings. However, today there are still very few parts of the world where people typically treat their enemies with love. 

Final word

The saying “eye for an eye” expresses the idea that people should be punished according to the way in which they offended. Many people stand by this idea today, but others have found an alternative means of maintaining law and order.

The phrase predates the King James Bible, where the phrase is occasionally mentioned, however Jesus taught his followers to love one’s enemy, and avoid retaliation.