Topical Bible: Murder: Punishment For: Death

◄ Murder: Punishment For: Death ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, murder is considered a grave sin, and the prescribed punishment for committing murder is death. This principle is rooted in the sanctity of human life, as humanity is created in the image of God. The Bible consistently underscores the severity of taking an innocent life and mandates capital punishment as a just recompense for such an act.

Old Testament Foundations

The foundation for the death penalty as a punishment for murder is established early in the Scriptures. In Genesis 9:6, God declares to Noah, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind" . This decree underscores the divine mandate that the life of a murderer is forfeit because they have destroyed a being made in God's image.

The Mosaic Law further codifies this principle. In Exodus 21:12, it is stated, "Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death" . This law is reiterated in Leviticus 24:17: "And if a man takes the life of any human being, he must surely be put to death" . These passages reflect the seriousness with which the Old Testament treats the crime of murder, emphasizing the need for justice and the protection of community order.

Cities of Refuge

While the punishment for murder was death, the Old Testament also provides a system to ensure that justice is fairly administered. The cities of refuge were established as places where those accused of manslaughter could flee to avoid immediate retribution until a fair trial could be conducted (Numbers 35:9-15). This system distinguished between premeditated murder and accidental killing, ensuring that only those guilty of intentional murder faced the death penalty.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament does not abolish the principle of capital punishment for murder but rather affirms the role of governing authorities in executing justice. In Romans 13:4, the Apostle Paul writes, "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" . This passage suggests that the state has the God-given authority to administer justice, including the use of capital punishment, as a deterrent against evil deeds such as murder.

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate for the death penalty in cases of murder reflects the high value placed on human life and the need for justice. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of upholding righteousness within society. The consistent biblical witness underscores the belief that life is sacred and that the unlawful taking of life demands the ultimate penalty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:5,6
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

Exodus 21:12
He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 35:16
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Kill his Wife if She be ...
... do so, but by not inflicting on him the punishment for murder, on account ... beyond
the limits of amendment, and these are exceeded by the punishment of death. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 21.htm

Capital Punishment
... to speak once and for all, because it is much in men's minds just now"I mean what
is vulgarly called "capital punishment," the punishing of murder by death. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vi capital punishment.htm

Concerning the Posterity of Adam, and the Ten Generations from Him ...
... therefore did not inflict the punishment [of death] upon him ... However, he did not
accept of his punishment in order ... was to be punished for Cain's murder of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the posterity.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics to Kill Evil-Doers?
... OF MURDER (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful for clerics to kill evil ... are entrusted
with the ministry of the New Law, wherein no punishment of death or of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 3.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Dispensable?
... to murder, because his son was due to be slain by the command of God, Who is Lord
of life and death: for He it is Who inflicts the punishment of death on all ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 4.htm

Whether it is Just that the Punishments of Sins Last Longer than ...
... a time as the offense; or that murder, adultery, sacrilege ... crime, do the laws reckon
the punishment to consist in the brief moment in which death is inflicted ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 whether it is just.htm

Fast-Day Service
... against revolted subjects"against men who, by their crimes, by their murder, and
by other unmentionable sins, have incurred the punishment of death; and as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... we can"and we often succeed morally,"but THAT is not called murder. The other way
of killing is judged as a crime"and"then" the punishment is death!". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxi meanwhile florian varillo had.htm

The Wages of Sin
... very tender-hearted, the lawgiver amerces this crime of murder with a ... of opinion
as to which is most effective, solitary punishment for life, or death. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/iii the wages of sin.htm

Whether in a Case of Divorce Husband and Wife Should be Judged on ...
... just as there is in two persons condemned to the punishment of death, although one
of ... 1: The only reason why divorce was permitted, was to avoid murder. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in a case of.htm