What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:17? 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. |
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