Blood for blood
Meaning
This phrase signifies the principle of retributive justice where one act of violence, particularly murder, demands a similar retaliatory act.
Origin
The chilling demand for "blood for blood" echoes from the earliest human societies, a fundamental pillar of retributive justice. Its most prominent articulation comes from ancient legal codes, notably the Biblical text of the Old Testament, where it forms part of the "lex talionis"—the law of exact retaliation. This principle, famously rendered as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," mandated that punishment should mirror the crime. It wasn't merely a call for indiscriminate revenge, but an attempt to limit excessive retribution, ensuring that a life was paid for with a life, and not with the destruction of an entire family or tribe. This primal cry for equivalence in vengeance has reverberated through history, shaping early notions of justice and conflict.
Examples
- The tribal elders vowed blood for blood after the unprovoked attack on their village, escalating the long-standing conflict.
- Despite calls for peace, the bereaved family insisted on blood for blood, convinced that only revenge could bring them solace.