The phrase was first mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible, it can be found in Exodus 21:23, 24.

Now this piece of legislation was first proposed as a way of dealing with retribution.

So the idea was if someone does anything to you, which causes harm, then the perpetrator should be harmed in exactly the same way.

Some people may find it barbaric and dated but then others would view it as a rational way of dealing with issues.

The law of ‘an eye for an eye’ is usually called the law of retribution (meaning that the punishment should be like the injury).

The history of the law comes from the Latin word ‘lex talionis’ that directly means the law of retribution.

It should be noted that all cultures have to have some form of social regulation and a way of resolving the conflicts that arise.

During the times of the Hebrew’s, this law became literally known as an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, an arm for an arm, and a life for a life.

The law of equivalency was a significant development in the history of jurisprudence in the sense that what used to be a private matter between two families was now taken over by the state and considered to be criminal behaviour.

So this law has formulated most of our current legal system, which explains the rationale behind the revenge sentiment that arises when we are attacked.

Most notably when a person, or group, or even a country transgresses against us, then in using this law, we should attack back in exactly the same way or ideally with more force.

With hindsight, it should be noted that if we carry on exerting force on each other, we would never have a situation of ever lasting peace.

Maybe if we learn to think more around alternatives, then would we be able to see!