The commandment "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" has ancient roots in the Mosaic Law, where it served as a measure to restrict retaliation.

From Retribution to Forgiveness: The Transformation of an Ancient Law

The commandment "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" has ancient roots in the Mosaic Law, where it served as a measure to restrict retaliation. In these ancient texts, the aim was not to encourage endless revenge, but to establish the principle of equal retribution in order to protect society from excessive violence. As stated:

"The same law charged the city elders with seizing from the sanctuary the one who intentionally committed murder and handing him over to the avenger for blood, so that he might die (Deut. 19:12). But to limit the arbitriness of the avenger, Moses, in the law reiterated in his three books, permitted the avenger to inflict upon the one entrusted to him the same harm that had been inflicted upon him, but no more. 'Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.'"

Among the ancient commentaries is the observation expressed by John Chrysostom:

"Listen, for it has been said: eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Indeed, if you reflect on who were the hearers of this commandment, what their mindset was, and at what time they accepted this law, you will recognize the wisdom of the Lawgiver..."

Regarding the modern application of these principles, religious practices—especially within the Christian tradition—interpret this law not as a prescription for literal revenge but as a historical legal mechanism designed to restrain the arbitrary use of vengeance. The teachings of the New Testament shift the focus considerably from retribution to forgiveness and the renunciation of revenge. For example, it is clearly noted:

"The Lord says: it was spoken to the ancients: eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth. But I say to you: do not resist evil. The law, by imposing a measure of punishment, establishes equal suffering, allowing the wronged to inflict as much harm as they themselves have suffered, in order to deter the same fate by fear of reciprocation."

It is also noted that the idea of equal retribution was intended for a specific historical context, when courts and elders used it to prevent personal vendettas from escalating into bloody feuds. Later, with the advent of the Gospel teachings, the focus shifted towards eradicating the cycle of violence, since "vengeance served not as an end but as the beginning of greater calamities," and it was the Gospel that "put an end to the forward march of evil."

Thus, the commandment has its origins in ancient Hebrew legal and moral regulation; in modern religious practices, especially within Christianity, it is understood as a historical norm that has transformed into a principle of forgiveness and the renunciation of retaliation.