In the context of the Bible, the term "slayers" generally refers to individuals who have taken the life of another person. The act of slaying, or killing, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, ranging from unlawful murder to acts of war and divine judgment. The Bible provides a nuanced view of slaying, distinguishing between intentional murder and accidental killing, and offering guidance on justice and mercy.

Unlawful Killing and Murder

The Sixth Commandment explicitly prohibits murder: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the sanctity of human life, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Murder, as a premeditated and intentional act, is condemned throughout Scripture. In Genesis 4, the first recorded murder occurs when Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy, leading to divine judgment and punishment (Genesis 4:8-12).

The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the consequences of murder. Numbers 35:16-21 outlines the punishment for intentional murder, stating that the murderer "shall surely be put to death" (Numbers 35:16). This reflects the principle of retributive justice, where the penalty corresponds to the severity of the crime.

Accidental Killing and Cities of Refuge

The Bible also addresses cases of accidental killing, distinguishing them from premeditated murder. In such instances, the slayer may flee to a city of refuge, where they are protected from the avenger of blood until a fair trial can be conducted (Numbers 35:9-15). Deuteronomy 19:4-6 provides an example: "If someone unintentionally kills his neighbor without having hated him in the past... he may flee to one of these cities and live" (Deuteronomy 19:4-5). This provision demonstrates God's concern for justice tempered with mercy, ensuring that those who kill unintentionally are not unjustly punished.

Slaying in War and Divine Judgment

The Bible also records instances of slaying in the context of war and divine judgment. In the Old Testament, God commands the Israelites to engage in warfare against certain nations, often as an act of divine judgment against their wickedness (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). These acts of slaying are portrayed as part of God's sovereign plan and are distinct from unlawful murder.

In the New Testament, the concept of slaying takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus teaches that harboring anger and hatred in one's heart is akin to murder (Matthew 5:21-22). This teaching emphasizes the importance of inner purity and reconciliation, extending the commandment against murder to include the attitudes and intentions of the heart.

Conclusion

The Bible's treatment of slayers reflects a comprehensive understanding of justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life. While intentional murder is unequivocally condemned, provisions for accidental killing and the context of warfare highlight the complexity of human actions and divine justice. Through these teachings, the Scriptures call believers to uphold the value of life and pursue righteousness in all their dealings.5221. nakah -- to smite
... pin (2), ruined (2), shoot (1), shot (1), slain (11), slapped (1), slaughter (1),
slaughtered (1), slaughtering (2), slay (5), slayer (1), slayers (1), slaying ...
/hebrew/5221.htm - 7k

Simon Magus: Secret of his Magic.
... wherefore it is invoked for necromancy.' Then I:answered: Why, then, do not the
souls of persons who are slain take vengeance on their slayers?' Do you not ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xiii simon magus secret of.htm

Whether we were Reconciled to God through Christ's Passion?
... Reply to Objection 3: As Christ's slayers were men, so also was the Christ
slain. Now the charity of the suffering Christ surpassed ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we were reconciled to.htm

Those Persons Prove Themselves Senseless who Exaggerate the Mercy ...
... For if He had not so come, it follows that these men could not have become the slayers
of their Lord; and if He had not sent prophets to them, they certainly ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii those persons prove themselves.htm

Three Homilies. On Our Lord.
... Thou art He that livest, for Thy slayers were as husbandmen to Thy life, for that
they sowed it as wheat in the depth [of the earth], that it may rise and ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/three homilies on our lord.htm

1 John ii. 17-Dec
... unbelief of these. For ye heard when the Acts of the Apostles were read,
how many thousands of Christ's slayers believed. [2073] If ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily ii 1 john ii.htm

Certain it Is, Albeit all this Disputation Go from Side to Side...
... And so thieves, and robbers, and ruffians, and torturers, and slayers, are more
hated of them than lascivious, drunken, luxurious men, if these molest no man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 38 certain it is.htm

Acts xii. 1, 2
... of God's delivering them, therefore he permits some to be put to death, and chief
men too, Stephen and James, thereby convincing their slayers themselves, that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvi acts xii 1.htm

Lo! the Evil one Reproached Death
... marvel."12. D., Thy partner am I in share, but not in sin: mine are the
slain and thine the slayers, whom thou madest sin."13. S ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lv lo the evil.htm

John xii. 8
... "The multitude who know not God [1860] are accursed" ( c. vii.49 ); the believers
they call accursed, and themselves the slayers, wise. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxvi john xii 8.htm

John vii. 1, 2
... Thus Abel was slain; thus David, with many other just men, was like to have
been so; from this also the Jews became Christ-slayers. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlviii john vii 1.htm

Slayers (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Slayers (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 27:7 Hath He smitten
him as He smote those that smote him? Or is he slain ...
/s/slayers.htm - 7k

Men-slayers (1 Occurrence)
Men-slayers. Men-singers, Men-slayers. Menstealers . Multi-Version
Concordance Men-slayers (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy ...
/m/men-slayers.htm - 6k

Man-slayers (1 Occurrence)
Man-slayers. Manslayers, Man-slayers. Manstealing . Multi-Version
Concordance Man-slayers (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy ...
/m/man-slayers.htm - 6k

Slayer (23 Occurrences)

/s/slayer.htm - 13k

Lawbreakers (2 Occurrences)
... man law is not set, but for lawless and insubordinate persons, ungodly and sinners,
impious and profane, parricides and matricides, men-slayers, (See NIV). ...
/l/lawbreakers.htm - 6k

Menstealers (1 Occurrence)

/m/menstealers.htm - 6k

Manslayers (1 Occurrence)

/m/manslayers.htm - 6k

Manstealing

/m/manstealing.htm - 7k

Matricides (1 Occurrence)
... righteous man law is not set, but for lawless and insubordinate persons, ungodly
and sinners, impious and profane, parricides and matricides, men-slayers, (YLT ...
/m/matricides.htm - 6k

Men-singers (1 Occurrence)
Men-singers. Men-servants, Men-singers. Men-slayers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV DBY JPS WBS YLT). Men-servants, Men-singers. Men-slayers . ...
/m/men-singers.htm - 6k

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