Topical Bible: Murder: God: Requires Blood For

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In the biblical narrative, the act of murder is a grave sin that incurs severe consequences, as it is a direct violation of the sanctity of life, which is a gift from God. The Bible consistently underscores the seriousness of murder and the divine requirement for justice, often articulated through the principle of requiring blood for blood.

The foundation for this principle is laid in Genesis 9:6, where God establishes a covenant with Noah after the flood: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind" . This passage highlights the intrinsic value of human life, created in the image of God, and sets a divine mandate for retributive justice.

The Mosaic Law further codifies this requirement in the legal system given to the Israelites. In Exodus 21:12, it is stated, "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death" . This law reflects the seriousness with which God views the taking of innocent life and the necessity of upholding justice through the prescribed penalty of death for the murderer.

Numbers 35:33-34 emphasizes the defilement of the land through the shedding of innocent blood and the need for atonement: "Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites." The passage underscores that the land itself is tainted by murder, and only the blood of the murderer can cleanse it, thus maintaining the holiness of the community where God resides.

Deuteronomy 19:11-13 provides further instruction on the handling of murder cases, distinguishing between accidental killings and premeditated murder. It commands that a murderer be handed over to the avenger of blood to be put to death, ensuring that justice is served and the community is purged of evil.

The New Testament reaffirms the gravity of murder, though it shifts the focus from legal retribution to the heart's condition. Jesus expands the understanding of murder in Matthew 5:21-22, teaching that even harboring anger against a brother is subject to judgment. This teaching highlights the internalization of the law and the call to righteousness that exceeds mere legal compliance.

While the New Testament emphasizes forgiveness and reconciliation, the principle that God requires justice for murder remains. Romans 13:4 speaks to the role of governing authorities as agents of God's wrath, bearing the sword to execute justice on wrongdoers, including murderers.

Throughout Scripture, the requirement of blood for murder underscores the sanctity of life and the divine demand for justice. It reflects God's character as both just and holy, ensuring that the moral order is upheld and that the community remains pure in His sight.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:5
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 35:33
So you shall not pollute the land wherein you are: for blood it defiles the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 2:32
And the LORD shall return his blood on his own head, who fell on two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blood-Shedding
... it was a horrid murder that ... is all forgiven," says he, "all washed away by the blood
which did ... What God requires is this, that a man should say, "I know more of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the blood-shedding.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... that outward abstinence from certain sins is all that God requires. ... and hate the
same as murder,[footnote9:1 ... to this position of brokenness, but God shows him ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

As God is the Author of Patience So the Devil is of Impatience.
... the discourse be concerning some particular good, the subject requires us to ... [9061]
Of murder we have ... necessary delays of Moses, while he met with God, he had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/chapter v as god is the.htm

The Excuses of Sinners Condemn God
... He will murder us all here in this house if he can ... original sin, coming down in the
created blood and veins ... But in the sense in which God requires you to do it ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/v the excuses of sinners.htm

The Right Understanding of the Law
... though his hand was not in the murder, his heart ... God in the law requires exact obedience,
yet will accept ... That very service which God's law might condemn, his ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

Chapter iv
... In the second generation it has already grown to the proportions of murder. ... That
God requires blood, that is, seeks out and avenges all instances of unjust ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

Thou Shalt in any Wise Rebuke Thy Neighbor, and not Suffer Sin ...
... God expressly requires it. ... God has given it the greatest strength of language that
he can. ... It is a maxim of law, that if a man knows of a murder about to be ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/thou shalt in any wise.htm

Thoughts on the Last Battle
... a bloody man, that his hands were red with wholesale murder"this would ... the actual
penalty for us, they do not consider that God's law requires any such ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/thoughts on the last battle.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... us vary the case a little, suppose God requires you to ... is received and treated as
really a child of God. ... sovereign on the throne had committed murder, and was ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Kept by the Power of God
... kept me." And you believe He kept you from drunkenness and murder. ... Keeping Requires
Power. ... David had very wonderful views of how the everlasting God is Himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/kept by the power of.htm