“–break for break, eye for eye, tooth for tooth–whatever injury he has caused the other person is to be rendered to him in return…You are to apply the same standard of judgment to the foreigner as to the citizen, because I am Adonai your God.”
Leviticus 24:20,22 CJB
It is interesting because when I read this, I tend to feel that this is more of a harsh policy–where’s grace and forgiveness if you simply mete back out what was done to you? However, from commentaries that I’ve read on these verses, in ancient Near Eastern cultures people often took excessive revenge (and really, though to be socially acceptable it’d be harder to do so now, isn’t this what so often surfaces in my own heart? They defied, embarrassed or hurt me in some way and I want to slug them!) such that “the legal principle of limiting retaliation to retribution in kind (“an eye for an eye”), is [actually] another evidence of God’s grace.” And even then, “It seems likely that this phrase eye for eye, etc. was just a formula. In most cases in Israel it was not applied literally. It meant that compensation appropriate to the loss incurred must be paid out.”
https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/ot/leviticus/leviticus.htm#head104
Verse 22 continues to speak of the fairness of our God in that the same standard of judgment is supposed to be rendered across the board regardless of a person’s class or citizenship status (a very countercultural–at least compared to other cultures at that time–concept). This aspect of God’s character is clearly stated by Paul in his letter to the Roman church: “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 NIV
And the principle is shown again in Deuteronomy when Moses outlines the principles for judges as given him by God: “You are not to show favoritism when judging, but give equal attention to the small and to the great.” Deuteronomy 1:17 CJB
Of course Jesus comes along later and gives us an even more accurate glimpse into the heart of the Father (for remember, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9 ESV, and “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:19 NLT):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:38-48 ESV