How did Hammurabi collect these laws?

Answer 1

The common basis for this law code is the lex talionis ("the law of the tooth"), showing that there was a common Semitic law of retribution in the ancient Near East, which is clearly reflected in the Pentateuch. Exodus 21:23--25, for example, reads: "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..." However, the Old Testament law of the Israelites gave greater importance to the sanctity of Human life, whilst the secular law of Hammurabi gave priority to the protection of property, especially the property of the wealthy ruling classes.