Neuromuscular Junction

Biblical Law and Hammurapi’s Code Collide

In ancient times a society’s law structure relied heavily upon their faith and their religious leaders. Naturally, because there are many different rulers and faiths, there were many different laws of conduct in these societies. Many Ancient Near Eastern societies, like the Babylonians, followed the Hammurapi Law Code. A set of laws that was implemented by their ruler Hammurapi in 1700 BCE. While the Israelite societies followed the Biblical Laws that were implemented by God through Moses.

Hammurapi’s Law Code is one of the most well renowned nonbiblical code of laws to come out of the ancient middle east. Hammurapi was the 6th King of the first dynasty in Ancient Near Eastern times. King Hammurapi’s authority was believed to have been divinely given. Below King Hammurapi is shown receiving the insignia of royal power from the sun god Shamash.

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In the text beneath the image Hammurapi says that the gods made him king, “to make justice prevail in the land... to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak.” Many of the laws build off of Hammurapi’s previous statement, they exhibit many concerns for the poor however they never legislate charity. Instead they protect the poor from being overpowered by the rich. Hammurapi’s code was very class oriented. There were three major classes that people were put into. The muskenum, who were employed by the palace and can be given land to work without owning it, the awilum, who were freemen and did not depend on the palace or temple and finally there were the wardum, who were the servants or officials for the king. Many of the laws in Hammurapi’s code refer to the separation of classes. For example Law 205 states “If a wardum of an awilum has struck the cheek of the son of another awilum, they shall cut off his ear.” The different classes were not held to the same standards by Hammurapi’s code. Punishments for offenses among people in the same class were not as...