Topical Bible: Murder: Persons Guilty of had No Protection from Altars

◄ Murder: Persons Guilty of had No Protection from Altars ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, murder is considered a grave sin, a direct violation of the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). The act of unlawfully taking another person's life is met with severe consequences, and the Scriptures make it clear that those guilty of murder could not seek refuge or protection at sacred altars.

The altar, a place of sacrifice and worship, was central to the religious life of Israel. It symbolized God's presence and was a place where individuals could seek atonement for sins. However, the sanctity of the altar did not extend to those who committed premeditated murder. Exodus 21:14 states, "But if a man schemes and comes and attacks another man to kill him deliberately, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death." This verse underscores the principle that the altar could not be used as a sanctuary for those who committed murder with intent.

The distinction between accidental killing and premeditated murder is significant in biblical law. Cities of refuge were established for those who killed unintentionally, providing them a place to flee and find protection until a fair trial could be conducted (Numbers 35:9-15). However, these cities did not offer asylum to murderers who acted with malice aforethought. Numbers 35:16-21 outlines the criteria for determining intentional murder, emphasizing that such individuals were to be put to death and could not escape justice by clinging to the altar.

The case of Joab, a commander in King David's army, illustrates this principle. After committing murder, Joab fled to the altar, seeking sanctuary. However, King Solomon ordered his execution, affirming that the altar could not shield him from the consequences of his actions (1 Kings 2:28-34). This narrative reinforces the biblical mandate that justice must be served, and the holiness of the altar must not be compromised by harboring those guilty of murder.

The biblical stance on murder and the lack of protection for murderers at the altar reflects the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of human life. It serves as a reminder that while God's mercy is vast, His justice is equally unwavering, ensuring that those who shed innocent blood are held accountable for their actions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 21:14
But if a man come presumptuously on his neighbor, to slay him with guile; you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

part vii.
... He is guilty of all manner of falsehood for the ... treachery and terror to force certain
persons into their ... and iniquities [1720] were full of murder and impiety ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part vii.htm

The French Reformation.
... Sinless One is condemned, and he who is guilty goes free ... Persons of all classes gladly
listened to the gospel ... to overthrow the government, and to murder the king ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /12 the french reformation.htm

The French Reformation
... Sinless One is condemned, and he who is guilty goes free ... Persons of all classes gladly
listened to the gospel ... to overthrow the government, and to murder the king ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 12 the french reformation.htm

Otho, Bishop of Bamberg.
... more justly have borne the guilt of the murder, than he ... were torn by the wolves,
who was guilty of their ... from which the heralds and other persons in authority ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/otho bishop of bamberg.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him ... brethren did, "Verily we are
guilty concerning our ... to overthrow slavery by falsehood, bloodshed and murder? ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The Treatise
... will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the ... and endowed houses, if he were
found guilty of sin ... put to the ban, accurse, rob, murder, and practise all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... lay down your swords; away with groans, and murder, and violence ... and mourned, as
if the city itself had perished ... a fleet to attack and destroy guilty Rome, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Polity Settled by Moses; and How He Disappeared from among ...
... that their hands are innocent of this murder, and that ... death, for they are both equally
guilty; the man ... so many are sufficient to prudent persons for lamenting ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the polity settled.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... The report is that among persons in that country who knew of Christ he ... this man:
not as an adulterer, nor fornicator, nor as one guilty of murder, theft, or ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... were from their idols, and were become guilty of the ... belonged to him for committing
of adultery and murder. ... or family, where such sin-breeding persons used to ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm