is an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth in the bible
The principle was first referenced in the Code of Hammurabi, which predates the Hebrew bible. In the Hebrew Law, the ``eye for eye'' was to restrict compensation to the value of the loss. Thus, it might be better read 'only one eye for one eye'. The idiomatic biblical phrase ``an eye for an eye'' in Exodus and Leviticus (עין תחת עין‬, ayin tachat ayin) literally means 'an eye under/(in place of) an eye' while a slightly different phrase (עַיִן בְּעַיִן שֵׁן בְּשֵׁן, literally ``eye for an eye; tooth for a tooth'') is used in another passage (Deuteronomy) in the context of possible reciprocal court sentences for failed false witnesses. The passage in Leviticus states, ``And a man who injures his countryman -- as he has done, so it shall be done to him (namely,) fracture under/for fracture, eye under/for eye, tooth under/for tooth. Just as another person has received injury from him, so it will be given to him.'' (Lev. 24:19--21). For an example of תחת‬ being used in its regular sense of under, see Lev. 22:27 ``A bull, sheep or goat, when it is born shall remain under its mother, and from the eighth day...''
Eye for an eye