Exodus 21:26

Smite the eye. This verse and the next set forth the law pertaining to assaults upon slaves. The “eye” and “tooth” are specially mentioned because the former is considered our most precious physical organ, and the loss of the latter as that which is of least consequence. The general law of retaliation did not take in slaves. Ordinary blows given a slave did not carry with them any more thought of compensation than those given a child. However, permanent harm to an organ or the loss of a member afforded the slave the right of complaint and compensation. Revenge in kind was impossible because it would have put the slave in the position of retaliating against his master; hence compulsory compensation was provided. The principle was upheld that any permanent physical loss gave to the slave the right of freedom, a privilege which must have acted as an effective deterrent to brutality on the part of the master.