In this paper I will discuss how these two codes contributed to the laws of Western Civilization, what scripture says about law and justice and how these examples are evidence that or fall short of the Biblical standard. The Code of Hammurabi and the Twelve Tables were sets of laws established long ago in two different time periods and despite their differences they share a lot in common. The Code of Hammurabi and the Twelve Tables basically established the foundation for todays justice system and laws. They established how people should be protected from the powers of others, what was considered acceptable and not acceptable by laws and what would happen if these laws were broken. The Code of Hammurabi was more detailed while the Twelve
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In Matthew 5:38-39 it says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”. The reason I chose this passage is because in the Code of Hammurabi it discusses Lex Talionis or the law of retaliation or as most know it as “an eye for an eye”. In this passage I don’t necessarily think this is a good Biblical standard. We are supposed to let our justice system or in the case of the Bible we are to let God deal with people who do evil against us. This passage is telling us that if someone doesn’t something to us that it’s only fair to do it back to them. If someone murders our loved one nothing would be solved by then going and murdering someone they love. It won’t bring our loved one back, it won’t make us feel better and we will end up facing not only human law, but we will have to answer to God for our sins. Proverbs 21:15 says, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers”. I think this passage is evidence of the Biblical standard as well as the legal standard. We are taught to not take justice into our own hands. When a murderer is arrested, tried and found guilty justice is done. We the people feel good that the court system gave justice to those who wronged, and the person convicted of the crime fears his time in jail or the fact that he is waiting to be put to
In Matthew 5:38-39 it says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”. The reason I chose this passage is because in the Code of Hammurabi it discusses Lex Talionis or the law of retaliation or as most know it as “an eye for an eye”. In this passage I don’t necessarily think this is a good Biblical standard. We are supposed to let our justice system or in the case of the Bible we are to let God deal with people who do evil against us. This passage is telling us that if someone doesn’t something to us that it’s only fair to do it back to them. If someone murders our loved one nothing would be solved by then going and murdering someone they love. It won’t bring our loved one back, it won’t make us feel better and we will end up facing not only human law, but we will have to answer to God for our sins. Proverbs 21:15 says, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers”. I think this passage is evidence of the Biblical standard as well as the legal standard. We are taught to not take justice into our own hands. When a murderer is arrested, tried and found guilty justice is done. We the people feel good that the court system gave justice to those who wronged, and the person convicted of the crime fears his time in jail or the fact that he is waiting to be put to