Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grievous sin condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible consistently portrays murder as an act of wickedness, often committed by those who are swift to shed innocent blood. This entry explores the biblical perspective on the swiftness of the wicked to commit murder, drawing from various passages that highlight this sinful inclination.

Biblical Condemnation of Murder

From the earliest chapters of Genesis, murder is depicted as a heinous act. The first murder, committed by Cain against his brother Abel, sets a precedent for the wickedness associated with taking a life (Genesis 4:8). The Lord's response to Cain underscores the gravity of murder: "What have you done?" He asks. "The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10).

The Wicked's Swiftness to Shed Blood

The Bible frequently describes the wicked as being quick to commit acts of violence, including murder. Proverbs 1:16 warns, "For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood" . This passage illustrates the eagerness of the wicked to engage in violent acts, driven by their sinful nature and disregard for God's commandments.

Isaiah 59:7 further emphasizes this characteristic: "Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake" . Here, the prophet Isaiah highlights the destructive path of those who are quick to commit murder, linking their actions to a broader pattern of sinfulness and moral decay.

The Heart of the Wicked

The swiftness to commit murder is rooted in the condition of the heart. Jesus, in His teachings, expands the understanding of murder beyond the physical act to include the intentions and thoughts of the heart. In Matthew 5:21-22, He 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" . This teaching reveals that the seeds of murder—anger, hatred, and malice—reside in the heart, and the wicked are those who allow these seeds to flourish.

Examples of the Wicked in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals and groups who are swift to commit murder. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel orchestrate the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard, demonstrating their willingness to shed innocent blood for personal gain (1 Kings 21:1-16). Similarly, the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time plotted His death, driven by envy and a desire to maintain their power (Matthew 26:3-4).

Divine Justice and the Fate of the Wicked

Scripture assures that those who are swift to commit murder will face divine justice. Psalm 55:23 declares, "But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days" . This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate fate awaiting those who engage in such wickedness.

In conclusion, the Bible presents murder as a grave sin, often committed by those who are swift to shed blood. The wicked, characterized by their eagerness to commit violence, are warned of the severe consequences of their actions, both in this life and in the life to come.Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:15
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running ... Certainly
it is murder. ... providence for the sin of association with the wicked, and being ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Royal Murderers
... men, cool lying, ferocity, and murder,"these are ... pitiful tragedy are the subserviently
wicked elders ... But their swift, unremonstrating, and complete obedience ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/royal murderers.htm

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... and neither fornication, nor adultery, nor murder, nor any ... of sin, and the father
of the wicked: and this is ... Nathan the Prophet came, a swift accuser, and a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

1 John iii. 18-Sep
... is in earnest, let him be slow, let him be swift, yet let ... Not as Cain, who was of
that wicked one, and ... brother, will he also in his heart make light of murder? ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily v 1 john iii.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling (Second Sermon. )
... not of the last judgment and the swift destruction of ... pity for the miserable, mercy
for the wicked, compassion for ... a thought we may be guilty of murder, by a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling second.htm

A New Age and New Standards
... anger ought to be valued about as murder used to ... and yet to fool your neighbor by
it, was downright wicked. ... of the prophets; with him a new swift movement had ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter vi a new age.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes ... bestowed in these few words; how swift
and sufficient ... he had been guilty"lust, fraud, treachery, murder: looked at ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

A Call to the Unconverted
... When the wicked are cast into hell, it will be ... the world, either to commit acts of
lasciviousness, murder, or robbery ... for I shall be mine own swift accuser, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a call to the unconverted.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... 3326] Who is slow to chastise and swift to help ... he said that he was conscious, the
murder of his ... corrupter of godliness, this precursor of the wicked one, such ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

Righteous Hatred
... it "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." Oh ... of God and the blessings
came down swift as the ... it is necessary that men who commit murder should be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

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Murder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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