With these rules for living established, God then gave the priests, ancient Israel’s governing body, what scholars refer to as the Levitical laws. The people were to honor, obey, and worship God and treat one another with the same kindness and respect with which they wanted to be treated. God’s original directives, then, guided the people in their relationships with God and one another and clarified what loving interactions don’t look like. Jesus summarized and simplified God’s rules when He said the most important one was to love the Lord as the One true God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves ( Mark 12:30-31, NIV).
#Who said an eye for an eye how to#
Rather, in teaching Israel how to relate to God and one another, they pointed them to freedom. These guidelines for living were never meant to confine. And so, two months into their journey to the Promised Land, God called Moses, their leader up to Mount Sinai to receive what’s known as the Ten Commandments. After living under such oppression in a pagan land, the Israelites hadn’t a clue how to relate to God or govern themselves. He gave Moses what scholars refer to as the Levitical law shortly after their escape from Egypt. What Does "An Eye for an Eye" Mean - Historical ContextĪs with all biblical text, God’s statement regarding “life for life,” “fracture for fracture,” “eye for eye,” and “tooth for tooth,” must be read in its historical and literary context. 22 You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” ( Leviticus 24:17-22, ESV).īut what if we’ve misunderstood God’s intent? What if, in fact, this seemingly harsh endorsement for revenge was actually an act of mercy?
21 Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. 18 Whoever takes an animal's life shall make it good, life for life.
“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death.
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