Topical Bible: Murder: The Wicked: Intent On

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grievous sin condemned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings that highlight the wickedness of those who are intent on committing murder. This entry explores the nature of murder as it relates to the wicked, drawing from biblical narratives and teachings.

Biblical Accounts of Intentional Murder

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. Driven by jealousy and anger, Cain's act of murder is a stark example of wicked intent. The Lord confronts Cain, saying, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). This narrative illustrates the deep-seated malice that can lead to murder.

2. King David and Uriah: In 2 Samuel 11, King David orchestrates the death of Uriah the Hittite to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. David's premeditated plan to have Uriah killed in battle exemplifies the wickedness of murder driven by personal desire and deceit. The prophet Nathan later confronts David, revealing the gravity of his sin (2 Samuel 12:9).

3. Jezebel and Naboth: Queen Jezebel's plot to murder Naboth in order to seize his vineyard for King Ahab is another example of wicked intent (1 Kings 21). Jezebel's manipulation and false accusations against Naboth highlight the corrupt nature of those who resort to murder to achieve their selfish ambitions.

Teachings on the Wickedness of Murder

1. The Sixth Commandment: The commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) is a clear directive from God, underscoring the sanctity of human life. This commandment is foundational in understanding the moral law against murder and the wickedness of those who violate it.

2. The Heart of Murder: Jesus expands on the commandment against murder in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching that even harboring anger against another is akin to murder in the heart. He states, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22). This teaching emphasizes that murder begins with the wicked intentions of the heart.

3. The Nature of the Wicked: The Psalms and Proverbs frequently describe the wicked as those who plot violence and shed innocent blood. Psalm 10:8-9 portrays the wicked as lying in wait to ambush the innocent, revealing their malicious intent. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "hands that shed innocent blood" among the things the Lord detests, further illustrating the abomination of murder.

4. The Consequences of Murder: The Bible consistently warns of the divine judgment awaiting those who commit murder. Revelation 21:8 includes murderers among those who will face the second death in the lake of fire, highlighting the eternal consequences of such wickedness.

Conclusion

The Bible unequivocally condemns murder as a sin rooted in wicked intent. Through narratives, commandments, and teachings, Scripture reveals the gravity of murder and the corrupt nature of those who harbor such intentions. The biblical perspective on murder serves as a sobering reminder of the sanctity of life and the moral law established by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 22:17
But your eyes and your heart are not but for your covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Posterity of Adam, and the Ten Generations from Him ...
... in other respects, but was wholly intent upon getting ... one successively dying, one
after another, more wicked than the ... if any one were slow to murder people, yet ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning the posterity.htm

Thanksgiving to God for the Pardon Granted to the Offenders ...
... For if thou deemest not murder to be a wicked ... hear it said on that day, "O wicked
and slothful ... See Davison's "Inquiry into the Origin and Intent of Primitive ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xii thanksgiving to god.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... But be intent on humbling yourselves before God ... do themselves injury, or without
cause murder others ... He otherwise, through wicked and shameful snares, leads men ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Criticisms of the Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force on ...
... himself to murder men, and even actually murder them? ... has been commanded to use no
force against the wicked. ... who has not yet carried out his evil intent, I can ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ii criticisms of the.htm

Matt. xxvi. 17, 18
... But not with this intent, but from wickedness ... deserve twofold punishment, both because
they became wicked, when they ... mouth but he poured forth the murder of his ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxi matt xxvi 17.htm

The Fourth Book
... The intent is, of course, that as the devils, though they believe in God, still ... Nor
were these mere murder and incest, but a more wicked thing than the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fourth book.htm

Matt. xix. 1
... for neither did they ask with the intent of learning ... For what could be more wicked
than that man, who ... urging him on, and refrained from the murder, and sent him ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxii matt xix 1.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... His intent in extolling the Gospel is to admonish ... greater knaves we are; perpetrating
every wicked deed, stirring up strife, discord, war and murder for the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

Turn or Burn
... Most men who have committed murder tremble at the sight of ... the same need of praise
to the wicked and to ... The people were intent on listening to the orator, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/turn or burn.htm

Acts VIII
... may be performed by wicked men without religious intent. ... It will also exclude the
wicked and impenitent; for it ... court for trial in reference to the murder of C ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm