Biblical Punishment: »An Eye for an Eye« (Ex. 21:22–25; Lev. 24:17–22; Deut. 19:16–21) Retaliation or Compensation?

Abstract

This article analyses Croatian translations of the well–known biblical expression »an eye for an eye«. It demonstrates that the meaning of this »symbol of cruelty« must be interpreted as financial compensation rather than retaliation — »lex talionis«. Most frequently the text is understood as in fact translated in most Croatian translations and other languages also, that is, as retaliation. The article carefully reviews the meaning of the key words in the sentence as found in other parts of the Bible and proves both grammatically and logically based on many Jewish sources throughout history that the meaning of the text must be financial compensation. Any other explanation is in direct contradiction to some of the foundations of Judaism such as the principle »one law for all« or Justice. Also, the author attempts to investigate what may have prompted Croatian translators and others to translate the expression as meaning retaliation.