Topical Bible: Murder: Punishment For: Forbidden

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Murder, the unlawful and intentional killing of a human being, is explicitly forbidden in the Bible and is considered a grave sin against God and humanity. The prohibition against murder is rooted in the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The Bible consistently upholds the value of life and prescribes severe consequences for those who commit murder.

Old Testament Law

The commandment "You shall not murder" is one of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 20:13 . This commandment establishes the foundational principle that taking an innocent life is a violation of God's law.

The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the consequences of murder. In Numbers 35:16-21 , the law specifies that a murderer is to be put to death: "If anyone strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death." The law provides for cities of refuge to protect those who commit manslaughter unintentionally, distinguishing between premeditated murder and accidental killing (Numbers 35:9-15).

Justice and Retribution

The principle of retributive justice, often summarized as "an eye for an eye," is articulated in Exodus 21:23-25 : "But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." This principle underscores the seriousness of murder and the necessity of proportionate justice.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the prohibition against murder and expands on its implications. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that even harboring anger or hatred towards another person is akin to murder in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22): "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."

The apostle Paul reiterates the commandment against murder in his epistles, emphasizing love as the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:9): "The commandments 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Divine Judgment

The Bible warns of divine judgment for those who commit murder. Revelation 21:8 lists murderers among those who will face the second death: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

Repentance and Forgiveness

Despite the severity of the sin, the Bible also offers hope for repentance and forgiveness. The account of King David, who orchestrated the murder of Uriah the Hittite, demonstrates that even grievous sins can be forgiven when one genuinely repents and seeks God's mercy (2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51). The New Testament affirms that through Christ, forgiveness is available to all who repent and believe (1 John 1:9): "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
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Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
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Deuteronomy 5:17
You shall not kill.
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Romans 13:9
For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Library

Whether Wife-Murder is an Impediment to Marriage?
... to matricide and more prone to wife-murder; and it ... proneness that the Church has
forbidden marriage to ... been remitted therefore the entire punishment is remitted ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether wife-murder is an impediment.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... and who even now does not deserve punishment, I suppose ... of his guilt, but because,
though forbidden to be ... wont, though you know well enough what murder is, none ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... is purposely put side by side with murder, bemuse the ... look for a gradation in the
punishment, which, again ... [404] Polygamy was not yet wholly forbidden among the ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

Whether it was Lawful to Divorce a Wife under the Mosaic Law?
... are said to be permitted because they are not forbidden. ... The fourth is by omission
of punishment, and in ... preventing a greater evil, namely wife-murder to which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was lawful to.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Dispensable?
... it, this is not theft or robbery as forbidden by the ... slay his son, he did not consent
to murder, because his ... for He it is Who inflicts the punishment of death ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 4.htm

Letter clxii. To Leo Augustus.
... of deadly lust on the food of the forbidden tree? ... set quietly about his repentance
but burst forth into murder. Whose punishment we wish to be reserved for the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxii to leo augustus.htm

That I May Refute More Thoroughly These Charges, I Will Show that ...
... sacred trees overshadowing their temple"so many crosses on which the punishment
which justice ... In our case, murder being once for all forbidden, we may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ix that i may.htm

Trajan Forbids the Christians to be Sought After.
... found that search for us has been forbidden. ... preserving their discipline [900] forbade
murder, adultery, avarice ... time, threatening them with punishment; if they ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxiii trajan forbids the christians.htm

Antipater's Navigation from Rome to his Father; and How He was ...
... come to receive his punishment for the murder of his ... thou hadst a mind to exact that
punishment of thy ... his successor, while thou wast not forbidden to taste ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 antipaters navigation from.htm

St. James ii. 10
... Goods, but also commits Adultery, Murder, and Theft ... therefore must reasonably expect
a greater degree of Punishment. ... Authority by which it is forbidden: and this ...
/.../sermon vi st james ii.htm