Topical Bible: Murder: Punishment of

◄ Murder: Punishment of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, murder is considered a grave sin, and its punishment is addressed in various passages throughout the Scriptures. The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of human life, as humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Consequently, the unlawful taking of a life is met with severe consequences.

Old Testament

The Old Testament law explicitly prescribes the death penalty for murder. In Genesis 9:6, God establishes a foundational principle for the punishment of murder: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind" . This verse underscores the divine mandate for capital punishment as a means of upholding justice and the value of human life.

The Mosaic Law further codifies this principle. In Exodus 21:12, it is stated, "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must surely be put to death" . This command is reiterated in Leviticus 24:17: "And if a man takes the life of any human being, he must surely be put to death" . Numbers 35:30-31 provides additional legal procedures, emphasizing the necessity of multiple witnesses to convict a murderer and prohibiting ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death.

The cities of refuge, as described in Numbers 35 and Deuteronomy 19, offer a nuanced approach to cases of manslaughter versus premeditated murder. These cities provided asylum for those who killed unintentionally, allowing for a fair trial and protection from the avenger of blood until the high priest's death. However, intentional murderers were not granted refuge and were to be handed over for execution.

New Testament

The New Testament reaffirms the seriousness of murder but shifts the focus towards the heart's condition and the broader implications of sin. Jesus expands the understanding of murder in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching that anger and hatred towards others are akin to murder in God's eyes. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus states, "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" .

While the New Testament does not explicitly prescribe capital punishment, it acknowledges the role of governing authorities in executing justice. Romans 13:4 describes the governing authority as "God’s servant for your good," bearing the sword to execute wrath on wrongdoers. This passage suggests a continued recognition of the state's authority to administer capital punishment as a means of maintaining order and justice.

Theological Implications

The biblical mandate for the punishment of murder reflects the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of life. The consistent call for justice serves as a deterrent against the unlawful taking of life and underscores the moral order established by God. The New Testament's emphasis on the heart's condition highlights the need for internal transformation and reconciliation, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of justice and mercy in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:12-15
When you till the ground, it shall not from now on yield to you her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shall you be in the earth.
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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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Numbers 35:30
Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
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2 Kings 9:36,37
Why they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:
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Jeremiah 19:4-9
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
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Library

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

Whether the Temporal Punishment is Imposed According to the Degree ...
... Now a punishment of seven years' duration is appointed for a layman guilty of murder,
while for fornication a priest is punished for ten years, according to Can ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the temporal punishment is.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Man to Kill his Wife if She be ...
... it were lawful, that he should kill her in the very act, not by commanding him to
do so, but by not inflicting on him the punishment for murder, on account of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 21.htm

Letter cclx. To Optimus the Bishop.
... should be seven. Cain had not learned to murder from another, and had never
seen a murderer undergoing punishment. But I, who had ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclx to optimus the.htm

Whether Man is Freed by Baptism from all Debt of Punishment Due to ...
... If, therefore, the debt of punishment be remitted by Baptism, it would be unjust,
after Baptism, to hang a thief who had committed murder before. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man is freed by.htm

Whether Wife-Murder is an Impediment to Marriage?
... he is less inclined to matricide and more prone to wife-murder; and it ... follow that
because guilt has been remitted therefore the entire punishment is remitted ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether wife-murder is an impediment.htm

Whether any Sin Incurs a Debt of Eternal Punishment?
... For the fact that adultery or murder is committed in a moment does not call for
a momentary punishment: in fact they are punished sometimes by imprisonment or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any sin incurs a.htm

Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a ...
... end my brethren came to, on whom God inflicted so great a punishment for their ...
wickedness that had been in the kingdom to him, and especially the murder of his ...
/.../chapter 32 antipater is accused.htm

Whether the Division of Sins According to their Debt of Punishment ...
... species [*"Ex genere," genus in this case denoting the species], as murder and adultery ...
in relation to its reward, so does sin stand in relation to punishment. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the division of sins.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... Reviling is purposely put side by side with murder, bemuse the disposition that ... we
should then have to look for a gradation in the punishment, which, again, is ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm