Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “You shall not murder. New Living Translation “You must not murder. English Standard Version “‘You shall not murder. Berean Standard Bible You shall not murder. King James Bible Thou shalt not kill. New King James Version ‘You shall not murder. New American Standard Bible ‘You shall not murder. NASB 1995 ‘You shall not murder. NASB 1977 ‘You shall not murder. Legacy Standard Bible ‘You shall not murder. Amplified Bible ‘You shall not murder. Christian Standard Bible Do not murder. Holman Christian Standard Bible Do not murder. American Standard Version Thou shalt not kill. Contemporary English Version Do not murder. English Revised Version Thou shalt do no murder. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Never murder. Good News Translation "'Do not commit murder. International Standard Version "'You are not to murder. NET Bible You must not murder. New Heart English Bible "Do not commit adultery. Webster's Bible Translation Thou shalt not kill. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou shall not murder. World English Bible “You shall not murder. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not murder. Young's Literal Translation 'Thou dost not murder. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not kill, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not kill. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not murder. New American Bible You shall not kill. New Revised Standard Version You shall not murder. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not kill. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not murder. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt not murder. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not commit murder. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Ten Commandments…16Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 17You shall not murder. 18You shall not commit adultery.… Cross References Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder. Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. Romans 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James 2:11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. Matthew 19:18 “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, Mark 10:19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’” Luke 18:20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’” 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. Leviticus 24:17 And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. Numbers 35:16-21 If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. ... Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... Jeremiah 7:9 Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, Hosea 4:2 Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! Treasury of Scripture You shall not kill. Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. Matthew 5:21,22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: … Jump to Previous Cause Death Kill MurderJump to Next Cause Death Kill MurderDeuteronomy 5 1. The covenant in Horeb6. The ten commandments 23. At the people's request Moses receives the law from God You shall not murder. This commandment is part of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is a fundamental moral law that underscores the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The prohibition against murder is not merely a legal injunction but a divine mandate that reflects God's character and His desire for justice and righteousness among His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, murder was a serious offense, often leading to blood feuds and cycles of vengeance. This commandment seeks to break that cycle by establishing a clear boundary against taking innocent life. The Hebrew word used here for "murder" is "ratsach," which specifically refers to unlawful killing, distinguishing it from killing in war or capital punishment, which were sometimes sanctioned under the Mosaic Law. The commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus expands its meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-22). He teaches that even harboring anger or hatred towards another person is akin to murder, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and reconciliation. This commandment also points to the value God places on human life and the need for His people to reflect His love and justice. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who came to give life and to restore broken relationships between God and humanity. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness and the power to overcome hatred and violence, fulfilling the deeper intent of this commandment. Persons / Places / Events 1. Moses- The leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai and delivered them to the people. 2. Israelites - The chosen people of God, who were given the Law as a covenant to live by as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. 3. Mount Sinai - The place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment "You shall not murder." 4. God - The divine lawgiver who established the moral and ethical standards for His people through the commandments. 5. Promised Land - The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where the Israelites were to live according to God's laws. Teaching Points Sanctity of LifeHuman life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This commandment calls us to respect and protect life. Heart Attitude Jesus teaches that the root of murder lies in the heart. We must guard against anger and hatred, which can lead to destructive actions. Love as Fulfillment of the Law Loving our neighbor as ourselves is the essence of the law. By cultivating love, we naturally uphold the commandment against murder. Community Responsibility As a community of believers, we are called to uphold justice and peace, ensuring that life is valued and protected. Forgiveness and Reconciliation In light of Christ's teachings, we are encouraged to seek reconciliation and forgiveness, breaking the cycle of anger and violence. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:17?2. How does Deuteronomy 5:17 guide our understanding of the sanctity of life? 3. What are practical ways to uphold "You shall not murder" in daily life? 4. How does Jesus expand on this commandment in Matthew 5:21-22? 5. How can we address anger to prevent violating Deuteronomy 5:17's principle? 6. What societal changes align with the commandment "You shall not murder"? 7. How does Deuteronomy 5:17 align with the broader biblical theme of valuing human life? 8. What historical context influenced the commandment "You shall not murder" in Deuteronomy 5:17? 9. How does Deuteronomy 5:17 differentiate between murder and killing in self-defense or war? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 5? 11. What are the Catholic Ten Commandments? 12. What is the meaning of "You shall not murder"? 13. Does the Bible say "kill" or "murder"? 14. Does the Bible say 'kill' or 'murder'? What Does Deuteronomy 5:17 Mean The Command in Context“You shall not murder.” (Deuteronomy 5:17) • God repeats this word-for-word from Exodus 20:13, anchoring it in both the original Sinai covenant and Moses’ final sermon. • Placed between commands that guard family (honor parents) and property (do not commit adultery/steal), it shows that the protection of life is foundational. • The absolute form matches Genesis 9:6, where the LORD links human blood to His image, establishing murder as an offense against God Himself. Understanding “You” • The verb is directed to each Israelite personally—no one can hide behind tribe, government, or circumstance (Romans 13:9). • Scripture consistently individualizes accountability: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20) and “Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). • By addressing the ordinary believer, the command overturns ancient cultures that excused the powerful; kings like David (2 Samuel 12:9-13) were equally bound. Understanding “shall not” • This is not a suggestion but a divine prohibition, an unchanging moral line. • The gravity is underscored by civil penalties: “Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:12). • No loopholes exist; even unintentional killing demanded refuge and investigation (Numbers 35:9-34), highlighting how seriously God treats human life. Understanding “murder” • Scripture distinguishes murder from killing in war (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) or self-defense (Exodus 22:2). • Murder is the intentional, unjust taking of innocent life—premeditated or in reckless anger (Proverbs 1:11-12). • God condemns shedding “innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17), covering acts such as abortion (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5) and euthanasia. The Value of Human Life • Every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27), making life sacred from conception to natural death. • Genesis 9:6 grounds the prohibition not in social contract but in divine creation: “for God made man in His own image.” • When Cain slew Abel, God said, “Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10), revealing that violence against life calls for divine response. The Heart Behind the Command • Jesus deepens the issue: “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22). • Hatred equals murder in God’s sight (1 John 3:15). Internal contempt, cutting words, and spiteful actions violate the spirit of Deuteronomy 5:17. • Positive obedience means cherishing, protecting, and dignifying others (Luke 10:33-37). Applications Today • Guarding life: oppose abortion, euthanasia, human trafficking, and any policy that devalues people (Psalm 82:3-4). • Cultivating peace: pursue reconciliation, forgive quickly, and refuse vengeance (Romans 12:17-19). • Supporting just authority: the state “does not bear the sword in vain” to restrain evil (Romans 13:4), so believers pray for and uphold lawful justice. Christ and the Command • On the cross, Jesus was murdered by sinful men (Acts 2:23), yet He bore the penalty of our murderous hearts. • His resurrection offers new life and a new heart that loves instead of hates (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17). • Through the Spirit, believers become agents of life, proclaiming the gospel that rescues from death (John 10:10). summary Deuteronomy 5:17 is God’s direct, personal, and unchanging safeguard for every human life. It forbids the deliberate taking of innocent life, exposes hateful attitudes as murderous, and calls believers to honor the divine image in others by protecting, valuing, and nurturing life from womb to tomb. (17-20) The wording of these four commandments is the same with that of Exodus 20.Verses 17-21. - SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW: praecepta probitatis. In the enactments of the second table there is a progression from the outward to the inward. First, sins of deed are prohibited, such as murder, adultery, and theft; then sins of word, such as injury of a neighbor's good name by false testimony; and finally, sins of the heart, which do not come into open manifestation, such as covetousness and evil desire. The "commandment" is thus seen to be" exceeding broad" (Psalm 119:96). So that only the man "who hath clean hands and a pure heart, and who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully," shall "ascend into the hill of the Lord, or stand in his holy place" (Psalm 24:8, 4).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You shall notלֹ֥֖א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no murder. תִּֿרְצָֽח׃ (trə·ṣāḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder Links Deuteronomy 5:17 NIVDeuteronomy 5:17 NLT Deuteronomy 5:17 ESV Deuteronomy 5:17 NASB Deuteronomy 5:17 KJV Deuteronomy 5:17 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 5:17 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 5:17 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 5:17 French Bible Deuteronomy 5:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:17 You shall not murder (Deut. De Du) |