Kidnapping
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Kidnapping, the unlawful taking and carrying away of a person by force or fraud, is a grievous offense that is addressed in the Bible. The act of kidnapping is seen as a violation of the inherent dignity and freedom bestowed upon every individual by God. Throughout Scripture, the act is condemned and associated with severe consequences.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the act of kidnapping is explicitly condemned in the Mosaic Law. Exodus 21:16 states, "Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession." This verse underscores the severity of the crime and the value placed on human life and freedom. The law reflects the understanding that kidnapping is not merely a crime against the individual but an affront to the community and to God’s order.

Deuteronomy 24:7 further reinforces this stance: "If a man is caught kidnapping any of his brothers among the Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you." This passage highlights the communal responsibility to eradicate such evil and protect the sanctity of human life.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not directly address kidnapping in the same legalistic terms as the Old Testament, the principles of love, respect, and the inherent worth of every individual are emphasized. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles promote a society where such acts would be unthinkable. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31) and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31) inherently reject the notion of kidnapping.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks against acts that harm others and disrupt the community. In 1 Timothy 1:9-10 , Paul lists "kidnappers" among those who act contrary to sound doctrine, indicating that such behavior is incompatible with Christian teaching and the life of the believer.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a biblical perspective, kidnapping is not only a legal issue but a moral and ethical one. It violates the commandment to love and respect others and disrupts the God-given order of society. The Bible’s strong stance against kidnapping reflects the broader biblical themes of justice, mercy, and the protection of the vulnerable.

The biblical response to kidnapping is rooted in the understanding that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and deserves to live in freedom and dignity. The severe penalties prescribed in the Old Testament serve as a deterrent and a means of maintaining justice and righteousness within the community.

Conclusion

While the Bible provides clear directives against kidnapping, it also calls believers to uphold the values of love, justice, and respect for all individuals. The biblical teachings encourage a society where the dignity and freedom of every person are protected and cherished.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(vb. n.) of Kidnap.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KIDNAPPING (MANSTEALING)

kid'-nap-ing The term itself occurs only in the New Testament andrapodistes ="manstealer") in 1 Timothy 1:10. The crime was directly forbidden in the Hebrew law (Exodus 21:16 Deuteronomy 24:7), and was made punishable with death.

Strong's Hebrew
1589. ganab -- to steal
... actually stolen (1), brought to me stealthily (1), carries away (1), deceive (1),
deceived (1), deceiving (1), fact kidnapped (1), kidnapping (1), kidnaps (1 ...
/hebrew/1589.htm - 6k
Library

Knox, Wishart, and the Murder of Beaton: 1545-1546
... and the "earnest professors" of Protestant doctrines in Scotland sent to him "a
Scottish man called Wysshert," with a proposal for the kidnapping or murder of ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter ii knox wishart and.htm

Does Venus Militaris, Also, Preside Over the Evil-Doing of Camps.. ...
... Footnotes: [4112] So the ms. reading flagitiis, followed by all edd. except
LB. and Orelli, who read plagiis--"kidnapping.". [4113 ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/7 does venus militaris also.htm

The Appeal to Parliament, 1742-1749.
... At one time Zinzendorf was openly accused in the columns of the Universal Spectator
of kidnapping young women for Moravian convents; and the alarming rumour ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xii the appeal to.htm

Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her ...
... Stories were put about that the young French King was a leper, and was kidnapping
fair-haired children, in whose blood he meant to bathe. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xii knox in the.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... of a crime; 3, 4, False witness and bribery; 5, Alteration of judgment by a judge;
6-8, Theft; 9-13, Concealing of stolen property; 14, Kidnapping; 15-20 ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Thesaurus
Kidnapping (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vb. n.) of Kidnap. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
KIDNAPPING (MANSTEALING). ... Multi-Version Concordance Kidnapping (1 Occurrence). ...
/k/kidnapping.htm - 7k

Manstealing
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act or business of stealing or kidnapping human
beings, especially with a view to e/slave them. ...KIDNAPPING (MANSTEALING). ...
/m/manstealing.htm - 7k

Kidnappers (1 Occurrence)

/k/kidnappers.htm - 6k

Kidnaps (1 Occurrence)

/k/kidnaps.htm - 6k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
... crime committed (Deuteronomy 21:1-9). These offences also were to be punished with
death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Exodus 21 ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... right, suffers death, just as a deceiver who tries to enrich himself through making
a false accusation (section symbol, section symbol 9). Kidnapping of a free ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... the Canaanites. See MOLECH. Kidnapping (Man-Stealing). andrapodistes =
"man-stealer," "slave-dealer" (1 Timothy 1:10). This was ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... the Canaanites. See MOLECH. Kidnapping (Man-Stealing). andrapodistes =
"man-stealer," "slave-dealer" (1 Timothy 1:10). This was ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Hammurabi
... right, suffers death, just as a deceiver who tries to enrich himself through making
a false accusation (section symbol, section symbol 9). Kidnapping of a free ...
/h/hammurabi.htm - 47k

Resources
How should a Christian view the civil rights movement? | GotQuestions.org

Did Moses copy the Law from the Code of Hammurabi? | GotQuestions.org

If homosexuality is a sin, why didn't Jesus ever mention it? | GotQuestions.org

Kidnapping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Kidnapping (1 Occurrence)

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brothers of the children of Israel, and he deal with him as a slave, or sell him; then that thief shall die: so you shall put away the evil from the midst of you.
(See NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Kidnapping

Kidnapping Manstealing

Kidnapping: Forbidden

Kidnapping: Instance of

Related Terms

Manstealing

Kidnappers (1 Occurrence)

Kidnaps (1 Occurrence)

Murder (41 Occurrences)

Code (6 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Hammurabi

Kidnappers
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