course hero how do hebrew law differ from those in hammurabi’s code

by Herta Weissnat 6 min read

One difference is that the law used by the Hebrews concentrated more on moral law than the code of Hammurabi did. For example if a son were to hit his father in Israel the boy would be put to death but in Babylonia the boy would only have his hand cut off. Another difference is how much more forgiving the system used by the Hebrews was.

Full Answer

Is Hammurabi’s Code of law similar to Hebrew law?

There is many differences and similarities in both of these codes of law and almost impossible to conclude whether these are more similar or more different. It really all depends on opinion. These are examples on how Hammurabi’s Code of Law and the Hebrew Law are alike or different.

Did Abraham defeat Hammurabi in the Bible?

One could say that Abraham defeated Hammurabi and Abraham’s descendants’ law code in the Bible superseded and bettered Hammurabi’s Code. Babylon during the days of Hammurabi covered land far larger than modern Iraq. The Code, which contains 282 laws, is carved into a seven-foot stone that is shaped like a warning pointing index finger.

What can we learn from Hammurabi's story?

It also showed how two civilizations, that are so far apart, can still think so alike and that humanity learns from it’s mistakes by improving on them. Hammurabi had a nice view on how to keep things equal.

How many years did Hammurabi rule?

Scholars differ in dating Hammurabi and his Code. Many think he ruled for 42 years between 1792 and 1750 BCE. They date the Code around 1754.

How did the Hebrew law differ from Hammurabi's code?

Hammurabi's well known law states that, “if a man has put out an eye of a free man, they shall put out his eye.” Whereas, in the Hebrew laws, it states, “...if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye...” From this, historians can observe a recurrence of the law of retaliation; a major belief in ...

What does Hammurabi's code have in common with the Torah?

They received this law when Moses, the leader of the Jewish nation, was led up Mt. Sinai by Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews. The two laws have some basic similarities such as, an eye for an eye, the punishment of death for adultery, fundamental respect for women, and reality that stealing is wrong.

What is the relationship between law and trade in Hammurabi's code?

Hammurabi's Code is where the term “eye for an eye” comes from. Involving criminal matters the laws were very strict and the penalties severe. In the area of trade, there were set guidelines involving how trade should occur and the appropriate prices that could be charged for certain goods and services.

How was Hammurabi's code similar to our justice system?

Hammurabi's laws cover a great deal of legal territory, and scholars believe they were likely drawn from real cases that the king or his judges presided over. Examples include laws governing crimes such as theft, murder and adultery, as well as familial interactions like marriage, divorce and inheritance.

What is the Hebrew code of law?

The Hebrews began writing down the commandments and other legal principles. By the sixth century B.C., they were contained in the Torah and eventually became the first five books of the Bible. The written Torah (“teaching”) provided the ancient Hebrew people with a code of religious and moral laws.

How are the 10 Commandments from the Bible and the Code of Hammurabi related?

Hammurabi made a collection of 282 laws that established values of manner and justice for keeping order in his kingdom. God engraved the Ten Commandments on stone tablets that were given to Moses and the population of Israel.

What was unique about the Code of Hammurabi?

The Code of Hammurabi includes many harsh punishments, sometimes demanding the removal of the guilty party's tongue, hands, breasts, eye or ear. But the code is also one of the earliest examples of an accused person being considered innocent until proven guilty. The 282 edicts are all written in if-then form.

Did the Code of Hammurabi treat everyone equally?

From the code, it is evident that the Babylonians did not believe all people were equal. The code treated slaves, commoners, and nobles differently. Women had a number of rights, including the ability to buy and sell property and to obtain a divorce.

What laws are in the Code of Hammurabi?

It consists of Hammurabi's legal decisions that were collected toward the end of his reign. These 282 case laws include economic provisions (prices, tariffs, trade, and commerce) as well as family law (marriage and divorce), criminal law (assault and theft), and civil law (slavery and debt).

Why was Hammurabi's code different than other sets of laws?

The Code established a minimum wage for workers. Hammurabi's Code was surprisingly ahead of its time when it came to laws addressing subjects like divorce, property rights and the prohibition of incest, but perhaps most progressive of all was a stipulation mandating an ancient form of minimum wage.

Why was the Code of Hammurabi so harsh?

Hammurabi's code interfered with others lives, prevented protection of the weak and created fear among the people. To begin with, Hammurabi's code of law was unjust because it interfered with others lives. A mesopotamian man was allowed to disown his son whenever he pleased.

Who is Hammurabi in the Bible?

Hammurabi (r. 1792-1750 BCE) was the sixth king of the Amorite First Dynasty of Babylon best known for his famous law code which served as the model for others, including the Mosaic Law of the Bible. He was the first ruler able to successfully govern all of Mesopotamia, without revolt, following his initial conquest.

What are the similarities between the Hebrew code of law and the code of Hammurabi?

Some of the similarities include the “eye for eye” principles, the different punishments among the classes, and the emphasis on a sort of justice. Both of the systems of law are based somewhat on an “eye for eye” principle although the code of Hammurabi is much closer to it. An example is in both systems a murder is punished with death. Both of the systems also have different consequences for crimes committed to the lower class. In Babylonia if a man destroys a lower class citizens eye then he would pay one mina of silver. In Israel if a man destroyed a slave’s eye the slave was to be set free to make up for his loss. If the same crime was committed to a man of the same class the consequences were heavier. Both systems also try to provide as much justice as possible. These are just a few of the many similarities between these two codes of law.

What is the difference between the Hebrew and Hammurabi laws?

One of the main differences between the two codes is the code of Hammurabi is much more strict and unforgiving than the Hebrew’s system of law . If the United States were to choose to adopt one of these systems of law the code of Hammurabi would change our country the most.

What is the code of Hammurabi?

The Code of Hammurabi is interesting on many levels, one of which is to compare the laws in this code with those in the Hebrew Bible. The comparison shows where the Bible was more humane than the Code. The following is some information about the Code. Hammurabi, king of Babylon is the author of this oldest code of law that is in our hands today.

When was Hammurabi's code found?

Whether this is so or not, since Hammurabi’s Code was found in 1901, many books were composed in which Hammurabi’s code is compared with the laws contained in the Bible. One excellent analysis is in the Pentateuch, a Commentary on the Five Books of Moses by Rabbi Hertz, the late chief rabbi of England. One could say that Abraham defeated Hammurabi ...

How long did Hammurabi rule?

Many think he ruled for 42 years between 1792 and 1750 BCE. They date the Code around 1754. It is very possible, and many scholars, such as C. H. W. Johns, author of the 1903 volume “The Oldest Code of Laws in the World,” believe, that Hammurabi is the king of Babylon Amraphel, the biblical version of his name, ...

How old was Abraham when he left the area?

Abraham grew up and spent much of his life in the lands controlled by Babylon until he was around 70 years old, when he left the area and traveled to and settled in Canaan. It is possible, the Bible does not discuss ...

Who defeated Hammurabi?

One could say that Abraham defeated Hammurabi and Abraham ’s descendants’ law code in the Bible superseded and bettered Hammurabi’s Code. Babylon during the days of Hammurabi covered land far larger than modern Iraq. The Code, which contains 282 laws, is carved into a seven-foot stone that is shaped like a warning pointing index finger.

Who is the judge of heaven and earth?

At the top of the stone is a depiction of Hammurabi receiving the stone from the seated sun god Shamash, the judge of heaven and earth. The Code is far more discriminatory and brutal than the biblical laws. The Hammurabi laws differed greatly in how it treated the various social classes. Rich men were treated better than all women, poor men, ...

Can a man disinherit his son?

A man cannot disinherit his son if the son committed no serious crime, but he may give one son more property than he gives to his other sons . The Code reflected some superstitious beliefs of the Babylonians. People were sentenced to death for casting a spell on another without good reason.

What is the difference between the Hebrew law and the Hammurabi code?

One of the main differences between the two codes is the code of Hammurabi is much more strict and unforgiving than the Hebrew's system of law. If the United States were to choose to adopt one of these systems of law the code of Hammurabi would change our country the most.

What happens if a man destroys a lower class citizen's eye?

In Babylonia if a man destroys a lower class citizens eye then he would pay one mina of silver. In Israel if a man destroyed a slave's eye the slave was to be set free to make up for his loss. If the same crime was committed to a man of the same class the consequences were heavier.

What is the difference between Hammurabi and the Hebrews?

One difference is that the jurisprudence used by the Hebrews concentrated more on moral jurisprudence than the codification of Hammurabi did. For illustration if a boy were to hit his male parent in Israel the male child would be put to decease but in Babylonia the male child would merely hold his manus cut off. Another difference is how much more forgiving the system used by the Hebrews was. In the codification of Hammurabi no affair what if you did something wrong you were punished. Under the jurisprudence system used by the Hebrews if you did something incorrect but it was an accident you would hold a less terrible penalty. If a Babylonian were to slay a adult male we would be killed no inquiries asked. If a Hebrew adult male was to hold murdered a adult male and it was an guiltless accident he would fly to another metropolis.

What is an illustration in both systems?

An illustration is in both systems a slaying is punished with decease. Both of the systems besides have different effects for offenses committed to the lower category. In Babylonia if a adult male destroys a lower category citizens oculus so he would pay one myna of Ag.