Digging Up the Bible: The Code of Hammurabi

DIGGING UP THE BIBLE
Important Archeological Finds that help Us Understand Scripture
pdf
Linda Manuel—1996
 

Hammurabi Code
(18^th century BC)

M.J. de Morgan, archeologist and curator of the Louvre (1901), discovered this eight foot diorite stele (an upright slab or pillar, usually with an inscription on it) in Susa where the Elamite king, Shutruk-nehhunte, took it as booty following a successful raid on Babylon in 1160 B.C. The piece was originally created for King Hammurabi and placed in the Esagil temple of Marduk, chief god of the Babylonian pantheon. The prophet Jeremiah mentions Marduk:

This is the word the LORD spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians: "Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back, but say, 'Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame, Marduk filled with terror. Her images will be put to shame and her idols filled with terror.' (50:1-2)

The inscription consists of forty-four columns of laws and specific cases that the king judged. The Code of Hammurabi derives, in part, from the king himself and may date from the beginning of his rule. He commissioned the final edition and compilation on this stele thirty years later.

 

 

King Hammurabi reigned over the city of Babylon from 1792-1750 B.C. An abundance of letters and other administrative documents profile a strong king engaged in direct control over matters of war, diplomacy, and business, yet attentive to the finer things of life such as good food, hunting, and beautiful architecture. Through his conquests, the kingdom grew from a small city-state to include the entire Mesopotamian valley. In his first full year as king, Hammurabi made a public pronouncement of the law which would govern the religious and economic life of his people, much like the "reforms" of Hebrew kings who, by restating allegiance to biblical law in the opening year of their rule, "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD". The code bears many similarities to Sinaitic legislation:

	Hammurabi	Deuteronomy
False witness	If a man accused another man and brought a charge of murder against him, but has not proved it, his accuser shall be put to death.... If he came forward with (false) testimony concerning grain or money, he shall bear the penalty of that case. (1, 4)	1 If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime...and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. (19:16-18)
Parental treatment	Parental If a son has struck his father, they shall cut off his hand. (195)	Honor your father. (20:12)
Adultery	If the wife of a man has been caught while lying with another man, they shall bind them and throw them into the water... If the husband of the woman wishes to spare his wife, then the king in turn may spare [the man]. (1,29)	If a man is found sleeping with another man's wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. (22:22)
Kidnapping	If a man has stolen the young son of another man, he shall be put to death. (14)	If a man is caught kidnapping one of his brother Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you. (24:7)

 

The origin and purpose of these two legal bodies, however, were quite different. In biblical tradition, God created man for fellowship with Him and gave the law so that, through it, His people could become holy and represent Him to others. Hammurabi recorded the laws and cases on this stele to demonstrate his stewardship and wisdom to his god Marduk. The king displayed the pillar in the temple for Marduk to see, and it remained there for five centuries. Moreover, whereas Hammurabi boasted about his accomplishments, Moses was self-effacing: "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Exod 3:1 1)
 

Significance for Biblical Studies: The Hammurabi Code ceased to be the law of the land at his death. Our God, however, is eternal, and His laws are "eternal" (Ps 119:160). Moreover, those who keep His commandments will enjoy fellowship with Him "forever" (Deut 5:29).

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