Tooth
NatureWhat is the meaning of Tooth in the Bible?
A dental organ mentioned in ancient legal codes as a specific point of physical injury. It serves as a primary example of the lex talionis principle in early Near Eastern law.
SIGNIFICANCE
The mention of the tooth illustrates the 'eye for an eye' legal framework used to limit retaliatory violence to a proportional scale. This reflects the judicial standards of the Bronze and Iron Age Levant.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Tooth were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Tooth in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tooth clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Tooth." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/tooth/