Assault and Battery(battery, smiting)
/a-SAWLT and BAT-er-ee/
Summary
Physical attack upon another person, which Mosaic law addressed with specific penalties based on the severity of injury.
☩Legal Treatment
The Hebrew tsur is used of pressing forward a siege but also of hostile attack upon a person. In Esther, Jews were given authority to defend themselves against assault. The lex talionis ('eye for eye, tooth for tooth') governed penalties for assault causing injury. If injury resulted in permanent disability, compensation was required. Assault without lasting injury required payment for lost time and healing costs.
Key verses:Esther 8:11Exodus 21:18-27Leviticus 24:19-20Acts 14:5
Related Verses29 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Assault and Battery," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).