Topical Bible: Murder: Described As Killing: from Hatred

◄ Murder: Described As Killing: from Hatred ►

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Murder, as described in the Bible, is the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, often stemming from deep-seated hatred. This act is explicitly condemned throughout Scripture, reflecting the sanctity of life as ordained by God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how murder is often the result of hatred, a sin that begins in the heart.

Old Testament Context

The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. Genesis 4:8 states, "Then Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." This act of murder was driven by Cain's jealousy and hatred towards Abel, whose offering was favored by God. The Lord's response to Cain highlights the gravity of murder: "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10).

The Mosaic Law further underscores the seriousness of murder. Exodus 20:13 commands, "You shall not murder," establishing it as a violation of God's commandments. Numbers 35:20-21 elaborates on the intent behind murder: "If anyone maliciously pushes another or throws an object at him with deadly intent and kills him, or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the understanding of murder by addressing the root cause—hatred. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:21-22). Here, Jesus equates unjust anger and hatred with murder, emphasizing that sin begins in the heart.

The Apostle John reiterates this connection between hatred and murder in 1 John 3:15 : "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer." This passage highlights the spiritual implications of harboring hatred, equating it with the act of murder itself.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays murder as a grave sin with both moral and spiritual consequences. It is not merely the physical act of taking a life that is condemned, but the underlying hatred and malice that lead to such actions. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "hands that shed innocent blood" among the things the Lord detests, further illustrating the moral repugnance of murder.

The teachings of Scripture call believers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness, countering the destructive nature of hatred. Romans 12:19 advises, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" This directive encourages believers to trust in God's justice rather than succumbing to hatred and violence.

In summary, murder, as described in the Bible, is intrinsically linked to hatred. It is a sin that begins in the heart and manifests in the unlawful taking of life, violating God's commandments and the inherent value He places on human life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 35:20,21
But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 19:11
But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and flees into one of these cities:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... by the sudden appearance, so picturesquely described, of the ... Hatred darkening to
murder is bad enough; but hatred ... to the unprofitable luxury of killing him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

Contradiction Between Our Life and Our Christian Conscience.
... even three centuries ago, the men who described an imaginary ... to defend the independence
of his nation by murder. ... so as to secure the means of killing each other ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter v contradiction between our.htm

Pontius Pilate
... them more savagely than Pilate had intended, killing and wounding ... It is described
indefinitely in the Gospels as that ... to throw the blame of the murder of Jesus ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/pontius pilate.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... the vineyard was already theirs; by killing the heir ... one party, and the hatred,
resistance, and murder by the ... see His guests, and among them he described one of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

The Commandments
... What the delight of hatred and thus of doing evil is with those who are
in hell can neither be described nor believed. To do evil ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

The Child-Life in Nazareth
... such as can scarcely be described, had fastened ... the indignation excited by the late
murder of the ... of Jud??a, sombre, lonely, enthusiasm-killing, but gloriously ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ix the child-life in.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... the four strange figures which Eutyches had described. ... and rushed to Alexandria to
murder Theophilus for ... flattery, they embraced instead of killing him, and ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

1 John iii. 18-Sep
... charge." [2251] He loved them that were killing him; since ... the merchant man in the
Gospel is described to have ... will he also in his heart make light of murder? ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily v 1 john iii.htm

Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ...
... by this man's driving away the physicians, and killing him by ... his child, and condemned
him also for the murder of the ... was dug up on the site described by Justin ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vi concerning the unity.htm

Bardesan.
... the books of the Egyptians, in which are described all the ... himself even to the extent
of killing his accuser ... not compel the Seres to commit murder against their ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents bardesan.htm