Exodus 21:23

Any mischief] beyond the loss of the child (Exodus 21:22). The law of retaliation ('like for like') is common to all early stages of civilisation: cp. e.g. art. 'Laws of Hammurabi.' It is a rough and ready kind of justice, but it involves many difficulties and is generally abandoned in favour of a system of fines and penalties. It should be observed that the law of retaliation is not the same as private revenge. The equivalent penalty is inflicted by the judge, not by the injured person: cp. Leviticus 24:17; Deuteronomy 19:15. Christ refers to this passage in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38.), forbidding the spirit of revenge, and enforcing the duty of forbearance in imitation of the heavenly Father.