What is the meaning of Exodus 20:13? You • The command is directed personally: “You” means every individual standing before God. • It places moral responsibility on each listener, not only on society or government (Deuteronomy 5:17). • Scripture consistently treats human life as sacred because each person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27; 9:6). • By addressing “You,” the Lord underscores that obedience is possible and expected for every heart—no excuses, no exemptions (Romans 14:12). shall • “Shall” signals an authoritative, binding mandate, not a suggestion (Leviticus 22:31). • The command carries forward into the New Testament where Jesus says, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). • It reminds believers that God’s moral law remains fixed and trustworthy, revealing His unchanging character (Psalm 119:89). not • “Not” makes the command absolute; it closes the door to rationalizing sinful aggression. • Scripture differentiates between murder and legitimate uses of force—self-defense (Exodus 22:2), just war (Ecclesiastes 3:8), or capital punishment instituted by God (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:4). • The prohibition protects both the weak and the strong, affirming that no one is above God’s standard (Numbers 35:30-31). murder • Murder is the intentional, unauthorized taking of innocent human life. • Jesus deepens the command by tracing murder back to its root of sinful anger: “Everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22). • Forms include premeditated killing (2 Samuel 11), clandestine violence (Proverbs 1:11), and even modern assaults on life such as abortion or euthanasia—each violates the Creator’s design (Psalm 139:13-16). • God demands justice for victims and offers mercy to repentant offenders (1 John 1:9; 1 Timothy 1:15). summary Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder,” charges every person to honor the sanctity of life because all people reflect God’s image. The imperative is firm, the prohibition is absolute, and the target is any unlawful, intentional taking of life—including its heart-level origins in hatred. Scripture holds this standard across both Testaments, defending the vulnerable and pointing each soul to Christ, who fulfills the law and empowers believers to cherish life. |
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