--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for…" description: "\"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. -Deuteronomy xix. 21.\" — Bible" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg" --- # Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for… ![“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. -Deuteronomy xix. 21.” quote by Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg) > “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. -Deuteronomy xix. 21.” [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A principle of proportional justice, demanding equal retaliation for wrongdoing. **In simple terms:** Equal punishment for equal harm. Key Takeaway Apply fairness, not vengeance. Themes justice retribution law Mood serious reflective Type ethical legal When to use this quote - legal judgments - personal conflicts - disciplinary actions Key Concepts proportionality ethical balance Questions to Reflect On - Is equal retaliation always just? - What alternatives exist to punitive justice? A Different Perspective May ignore restorative approaches and perpetuate cycles of harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deuteronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deuteronomy-249643/) [Deuteronomy Xix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deuteronomy-xix-5508548/) [Eye For Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-for-eye-213754/) [Eye Tooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye-tooth-794253/) [Foot Deuteronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foot-deuteronomy-5508547/) [Old testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-testament/) [Tooth Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tooth-hand-2884550/) ## Related quotes > [Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot/) [The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/) > [And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-if-any-mischief-follow-then-thou-shalt-give-life-for-life-eye-for/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [As thy days, so shall thy strength be. -Deuteronomy xxxiii. 25](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/as-thy-days-so-shall-thy-strength-be-deuteronomy-xxxiii-25/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid...for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/be-strong-and-of-a-good-courage-fear-not-nor-be-afraid-for-the-lord/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [And you shall not commit adultery. -Deuteronomy 5:18](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-you-shall-not-commit-adultery-deuteronomy-5-18/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [An eye for eye, will only make the whole world blind. Takon's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takon-s/an-eye-for-eye-will-only-make-the-whole-world-blind-takon-s/) [Takon's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takon-s/) > [The potential beauty of human life is constantly made ugly by man's ever recurring song of retaliation. The oceans of history are made turbulent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-potential-beauty-of-human-life-is-constantly-made-ugly-by-man-s-2/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“Life is short so live to the fullest. Laugh as much as you can and always forgive someone that hurts you because the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-lynn/life-is-short-so-live-to-the-fullest-laugh-as-much-as-you-can-and/) [Renee Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-lynn/) > [Eye for eye and the world will go blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/eye-for-eye-and-the-world-will-go-blind/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39But I say to you, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-lockman-foundation/you-have-heard-that-it-was-said-an-eye-for-an-eye-and-a-tooth-for-a/) [The Lockman Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-lockman-foundation/) > [If we do an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will be a blind and toothless nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/if-we-do-an-eye-for-an-eye-and-a-tooth-for-a-tooth-we-will-be-a-blind/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“recall Gandhi’s remark that if you take the principle “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” to its logical conclusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/recall-gandhi-s-remark-that-if-you-take-the-principle-an-eye-for-an/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“She could never take an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. The weak and flaccid parity would make her nearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-zahavi/she-could-never-take-an-eye-for-an-eye-and-a-tooth-for-a-tooth-the/) [Helen Zahavi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-zahavi/) > [An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/an-eye-for-an-eye-and-a-tooth-for-a-tooth/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) ## More by Bible > [As we recognize Palm Sunday, how you would welcome the Lord Jesus Christ into your own life on a daily basis. -Matt. 21:1-11](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/as-we-recognize-palm-sunday-how-you-would-welcome-the-lord-jesus/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. (Psalms 55:1)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/give-ear-to-my-prayer-o-god-and-hide-not-thyself-from-my-supplication/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/cast-me-not-off-in-the-time-of-old-age-forsake-me-not-when-my/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/jesus-said-unto-her-i-am-the-resurrection-and-the-life-he-that/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/a-garment-of-praise-instead-of-a-spirit-of-despair/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/i-bring-you-the-most-joyful-news-ever-announced-and-it-is-for/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-saith-unto-him-every-man-at-the-beginning-doth-set-forth-good/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/their-drink-is-sour-they-have-committed-whoredom-continually-her/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Our love must not be a thing of words and fine talk. It must be a thing of action and sincerity (1 John 3:18).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/our-love-must-not-be-a-thing-of-words-and-fine-talk-it-must-be-a/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [And the lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make thy bones: and thou shalt be like a spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-the-lord-shall-guide-thee-continually-and-satisfy-thy-soul-in/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/now-the-brother-shall-betray-the-brother-to-death-and-the-father-the/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/so-ahab-went-up-to-eat-and-to-drink-and-elijah-went-up-to-the-top-of/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Do not be decieved; Evil company corrupts good habits.- 1 cori 15:33](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/do-not-be-decieved-evil-company-corrupts-good-habits-1-cori-15-33/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [He'd drink the piss from a brewer's horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/he-d-drink-the-piss-from-a-brewer-s-horse/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/rebuke-not-an-elder-but-entreat-him-as-a-father-and-the-younger-men/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) [Explore all 1,153 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## More Old testament quotes > [“days of the earliest Church? I ask you: Do you want things to go on as usual, or do you want to see God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-t-kendall/days-of-the-earliest-church-i-ask-you-do-you-want-things-to-go-on-as/) [R. T. Kendall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-t-kendall/) > [“Jesus and Paul knew the Old Testament completely. Their comments about divorce were meant to add to, not replace or change, what was already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-abbott/jesus-and-paul-knew-the-old-testament-completely-their-comments-about/) [Caroline Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-abbott/) > [“Jesus was not just a man filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or blessed with the presence of God, like the prophets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-g-norris/jesus-was-not-just-a-man-filled-with-the-baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/) [S.G. Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-g-norris/) > [“May Christ, indeed, be the theme of your song. CONCLUSION If you are like me, this may be the first thing in the book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-christ-indeed-be-the-theme-of-your-song-conclusion-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Intellectualism is a poor master over passion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twe-stephens/intellectualism-is-a-poor-master-over-passion/) [Twe Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twe-stephens/) > [“‎A careful reading of the Old and New Testaments shows that idolatry is nothing like the crude picture that springs to mind of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-keyes/a-careful-reading-of-the-old-and-new-testaments-shows-that-idolatry/) [Richard Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-keyes/) > [Who wrote the Bible? Current scholarship, to my knowledge, assumes that the material that constitutes the Old Testament was put together from various oral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/who-wrote-the-bible-current-scholarship-to-my-knowledge-assumes-that/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“In the end, ethical interpretation of the Bible means to think critically about how our practices of textual engagement might help us to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-brueggemann/in-the-end-ethical-interpretation-of-the-bible-means-to-think/) [Walter Brueggemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-brueggemann/) > [“When we connect the death of Christ to the Old Testament, as Paul tells us we should,45 we can see the destruction of Jerusalem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-j-h-wright-2/when-we-connect-the-death-of-christ-to-the-old-testament-as-paul/) [Christopher J.H. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-j-h-wright-2/) > [Calvin founded a little theocracy, modeled after the Old Testament, and succeeded in erecting the most detestable government that ever existed, except the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/calvin-founded-a-little-theocracy-modeled-after-the-old-testament-and/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [My father, my Rastafari culture, has a tight link to the Jewish culture. We have a strong connection from when I was a young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziggy-marley/my-father-my-rastafari-culture-has-a-tight-link-to-the-jewish-culture/) [Ziggy Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziggy-marley/) > [“Sunday morning came – next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sunday-morning-came-next-day-the-battalions-would-leave-for-the-front/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“The call to “take the land” ...is not a call to a new political, cultural or geographical dominance. It is Kingdom of God territory.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-baker/the-call-to-take-the-land-is-not-a-call-to-a-new-political-cultural/) [Ken Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-baker/) > [“Somehow, Matheus expected the night he died to be fraught with weather straight out of the Old Testament: thunderstorms and hurricane winds and floods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fecteau/somehow-matheus-expected-the-night-he-died-to-be-fraught-with-weather/) [Amy Fecteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fecteau/) > [“Which God is the forgiving one, exactly? Old Testament, where He got His rocks off by smiting? Or New Testament, once Our Heavenly Father…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomm-quackenbush/which-god-is-the-forgiving-one-exactly-old-testament-where-he-got-his/) [Thomm Quackenbush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomm-quackenbush/) [Browse all 606 Old testament quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-testament/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. -Deuteronomy xix. 21.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bible" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot-deuteronomy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Old testament" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot-deuteronomy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/bible-141_old-testament_eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-han_694094.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. -Deuteronomy xix. 21.” — Bible", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bible", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot-deuteronomy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot-deuteronomy/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```