Topical Bible: Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected of

◄ Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the act of murder is a grave sin, and the process of addressing suspicions of murder is treated with utmost seriousness. The Bible provides specific instructions and examples regarding how communities and individuals should handle suspicions of murder to ensure justice and maintain communal purity.

Old Testament Practices

The Old Testament law, as given to the Israelites, includes detailed procedures for dealing with cases of murder and the suspicion thereof. One of the primary texts addressing this is found in the book of Deuteronomy, which outlines the process for dealing with unsolved murders.

In Deuteronomy 21:1-9, the procedure for a murder where the perpetrator is unknown is described. If a slain person is found in the open country and the murderer is not known, the elders and judges are to measure the distance to the surrounding cities. The elders of the nearest city are then required to perform a ritual to absolve the community of bloodguilt. This involves the sacrifice of a heifer in a valley with running water, where the heifer's neck is broken. The elders wash their hands over the heifer and declare, "Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it" (Deuteronomy 21:7). This ritual serves to clear the community of guilt and to seek atonement from God for the unsolved murder.

Cities of Refuge

Another significant provision in the Mosaic Law for dealing with murder and manslaughter is the establishment of cities of refuge. These cities provided asylum for individuals who had killed someone unintentionally. Numbers 35:9-34 and Joshua 20:1-9 describe the purpose and function of these cities. The accused could flee to a city of refuge to escape the avenger of blood, a family member seeking retribution for the slain. Once there, the accused would stand trial before the congregation to determine their guilt or innocence. If found innocent of intentional murder, they were to remain in the city until the death of the high priest, after which they could return home without fear of retribution.

Trial and Witnesses

The biblical legal system places a strong emphasis on the testimony of witnesses in murder cases. Numbers 35:30 states, "If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of witnesses, but no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness" . This underscores the importance of corroborating evidence in capital cases, ensuring that the accused is not wrongfully convicted based on insufficient or unreliable testimony.

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament does not provide specific legal procedures for handling suspicions of murder, it reinforces the sanctity of life and the seriousness of murder as a sin. Jesus expands on the commandment "You shall not murder" by addressing the heart's intentions, equating unjust anger with murder in Matthew 5:21-22. This teaching emphasizes the moral and spiritual dimensions of murder, urging believers to seek reconciliation and purity of heart.

In summary, the biblical approach to clearing those suspected of murder involves a combination of ritual, legal procedure, and moral teaching. The Old Testament provides specific guidelines for communal and individual responsibility, while the New Testament calls for a deeper understanding of the heart's intentions, underscoring the gravity of taking a life and the need for justice tempered with mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 21:3-9
And it shall be, that the city which is next to the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which has not been worked with, and which has not drawn in the yoke;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Rom. Ix. 1
... Still, the mode of separation is not the same, but in ... And Phinees and Peter we shall
implead for murder likewise. ... of God." (Romans 10:3.) The clearing up then ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi rom ix 1.htm

Acts ii. 14
... My disciples; for indeed it seemed a flattering mode of expression ... of the world,
people urge the laws of murder, highway robbery ... "Yea, what clearing of yourselves ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily v acts ii 14.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... 200 talents), the hardship lay in the mode of levying ... After the murder of his brother
by Trypho, he took ... the 23rd Iyar, when the work of clearing the country ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm