Topical Bible: Murder: Defiles The: Hands

◄ Murder: Defiles The: Hands ►

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In the biblical context, murder is considered one of the gravest sins, as it involves the unlawful taking of a human life, which is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The act of murder not only defiles the individual who commits it but also has broader spiritual and communal implications. The defilement of hands through murder is a metaphorical expression indicating the guilt and moral corruption that accompany such an act.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 59:3 : "For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice." This verse highlights the defilement associated with murder, emphasizing that the hands, as instruments of action, are stained with blood, symbolizing guilt and sin.

2. Proverbs 6:16-17 : "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood." Here, the shedding of innocent blood is listed among the abominations to the Lord, underscoring the severity of murder and its defiling nature.

3. Genesis 4:10-11 : "The LORD said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.'" In the account of Cain and Abel, God directly addresses the defilement of Cain's hands through the murder of his brother, indicating the profound spiritual consequences of his actions.

4. Psalm 106:38 : "They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood." This passage reflects on the defilement of the land and the people through the shedding of innocent blood, illustrating the communal impact of murder.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the defilement of hands through murder signifies a breach in the divine order and a violation of God's commandments. The Sixth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), affirming the sanctity of human life. Murder is not only a crime against the individual but also an affront to God, who is the giver of life.

The defilement associated with murder necessitates repentance and atonement. In the Old Testament, the shedding of innocent blood required purification rituals and, in some cases, the avenger of blood was permitted to seek justice (Numbers 35:33-34). In the New Testament, the emphasis is on repentance and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, which offers forgiveness and cleansing from all sin, including murder (1 John 1:7).

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The defilement of hands through murder serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and ethical responsibilities bestowed upon humanity. It calls for a deep respect for life and a commitment to justice and righteousness. The biblical narrative consistently upholds the value of life and the need for individuals and communities to uphold justice and prevent the shedding of innocent blood.

In summary, the concept of murder defiling the hands is a profound biblical theme that underscores the gravity of taking a life and the spiritual, moral, and communal consequences that follow. It serves as a call to uphold the sanctity of life and to seek God's forgiveness and restoration in the face of such grave sin.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... all that renders the Terumah unfit, also defiles the hands. ... such the sanctifying'
touch of the hands - and did ... added those made to escape murder, robbery, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon.
... found stern and determined enough to murder it, and ... their portion of authority into
his hands, consenting that ... terror, a hopeless refuge in the defiles of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xi the invasion of.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... feet are swift to shed blood; whose hands are foul with rapine and murder; whose
throats are ... by the greatest ambitions (a stain which defiles all virtues ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

Of Civil Government.
... There may be a country which, if murder were not ... have the charge of managing affairs,
are his hands. ... who plunders your goods, an adulterer who defiles your bed ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

1 Thessalonians iii. 8-May
... For that wickedness defiles the soul, hear the prophet ... sold him, who had even wished
to murder him, who ... Thou hast thine enemies in thy hands, those fratricides ...
/.../homily iv 1 thessalonians iii.htm

The Sermon on the Mount
... the Truth, standing with girded loins and hands ever outstretched ... Every impure thought
defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense ... Murder first exists in the mind ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 31 the sermon on.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... Sin not only blinds us, but defiles us. ... (iv) Covetousness is the root of murder. ... And
can the heart be pure, when the hands are full of blood'? (Isaiah 1:15). ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... Elissa's one aim was to avenge the murder of her ... left some of their chariots in the
hands of the ... and led his victorious regiments through the defiles of the ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... his country; a ruffian red-handed with murder, and dripping ... are slobbered with tears;
when repentance defiles the face ... God, and would not keep my hands off a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... conveys nothing of the kind; while the murder of Uriah is ... They reach forth their
hands, and they hold one ... the eye, and deadens the car, and defiles the thoughts ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm