In the context of biblical law, personal injury laws are primarily found within the legal codes of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. These laws were given to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic Law and served to maintain justice and order within the community. They reflect principles of restitution, fairness, and the sanctity of human life.

Exodus 21:12-36: This passage is one of the most comprehensive sections dealing with personal injury. It outlines various scenarios and the corresponding penalties or compensations. For instance, Exodus 21:12 states, "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death." This underscores the value of human life and the seriousness of taking it unlawfully.

The passage also addresses non-lethal injuries. Exodus 21:18-19 provides guidance for situations where a person injures another in a fight: "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed, the one who struck him shall go unpunished as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must pay for the injured man’s lost time and see that he is fully healed."

Lex Talionis (Law of Retaliation): The principle of "an eye for an eye" is articulated in Exodus 21:23-25: "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This principle was intended to limit retribution and ensure that the punishment was proportionate to the offense.

Protection of Vulnerable Individuals: The Mosaic Law also includes provisions for the protection of vulnerable individuals, such as slaves and pregnant women. Exodus 21:26-27 states, "If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant and destroys it, he must let the servant go free in compensation for the eye. And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he must let the servant go free in compensation for the tooth."

Animal-Related Injuries: The law also addresses injuries caused by animals. Exodus 21:28-32 deals with the case of an ox that gores a person to death. The owner of the ox is held responsible if the animal was known to be dangerous and not kept under control. The passage prescribes the death penalty for the ox and, under certain conditions, for the owner as well, unless a ransom is paid.

Leviticus 24:17-22: This passage reiterates the principle of proportional justice: "Whoever takes the life of any human being must surely be put to death. Whoever takes the life of an animal must make restitution—life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him."

Deuteronomy 19:15-21: This section emphasizes the importance of fair trials and the prevention of false testimony. It includes the principle of lex talionis as a deterrent against malicious witnesses: "You must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."

These laws reflect a deep concern for justice and the protection of individuals within the community. They emphasize the need for accountability and the importance of maintaining social harmony through fair and equitable treatment.