Topical Bible: Murder: Why Forbidden by God

◄ Murder: Why Forbidden by God ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is explicitly forbidden by God in the Bible. This prohibition is rooted in the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God. The commandment against murder is first articulated in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This directive underscores the intrinsic value and dignity of human life, which is to be respected and preserved.

The Sanctity of Human Life

The foundation for the prohibition against murder is found in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" . Being made in the image of God endows every human being with inherent worth and dignity. This divine image-bearing status is the basis for the sacredness of life, making the act of murder not only a crime against the individual but also an affront to God Himself.

Divine Justice and Retribution

The Bible emphasizes that God is a God of justice, and He holds individuals accountable for the shedding of innocent blood. In Genesis 9:6, God declares, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind" . This passage highlights the principle of retributive justice, where the punishment corresponds to the crime, reflecting the seriousness with which God views the act of murder.

The Role of the Law

The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the prohibition of murder, providing guidelines for justice and the protection of life. Numbers 35:30-31 states, "If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. You must not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death" . These laws were designed to ensure that justice was served while safeguarding against false accusations and wrongful executions.

The Heart and Intent

Jesus Christ, in His teachings, expanded the understanding of murder beyond the physical act to include the intentions of the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, "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" (Matthew 5:21-22). This teaching reveals that harboring hatred or anger is akin to murder in God's eyes, as it violates the commandment's underlying principle of love and respect for others.

The Call to Love and Forgiveness

The New Testament further emphasizes the call to love and forgiveness as a counter to the sin of murder. The Apostle John writes, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" (1 John 3:15). This passage reinforces the idea that love is the fulfillment of the law and that believers are called to live in harmony and peace with one another.

Conclusion

The prohibition against murder is a fundamental tenet of biblical teaching, reflecting the value God places on human life. It serves as a reminder of the divine image in which humanity is created and the call to uphold justice, love, and forgiveness in all relationships.

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Right Understanding of the Law
... and fearful name, the Lord Thy God.' Deuteronomy 28 ... in the commandment, the occasion
of it is also forbidden. Where murder is forbidden, envy and rash anger are ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/1 4 the right understanding of.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue are Dispensable?
... decalogue; and such a killing is no murder as forbidden by ... this is not theft or robbery
as forbidden by the ... when the children of Israel, by God's command, took ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 4.htm

Thou Shalt not Kill.
... For where murder is forbidden, all cause also is forbidden whence murder may originate ...
no one is willing to suffer at the hands of another, God wishes to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not kill.htm

Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples ...
... of heart opposed to the kingdom of God, which demands ... purposely put side by side
with murder, bemuse the ... [404] Polygamy was not yet wholly forbidden among the ...
/.../section 155 fulfilling of the.htm

Whether the Precepts of the virtues Annexed to Temperance are ...
... But considered in their effects, they may regard the love of God or of our ... is sometimes
that a man goes on to commit murder (and this is forbidden in the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 8.htm

Whether the Other Six Precepts of the Decalogue are Fittingly ...
... pertaining to religion, whereby man pays what is due God, and after ... person of our
neighbor are understood to be forbidden under the head of murder as being ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the other six precepts.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... you would not have the sin of murder, because you ... of them, and neglecting our soul
and God on their ... comes under the Tenth Commandment, and is forbidden by it. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm

The Story of Adam and Eve
... long as you live, you shall be under God's curse for the murder of your ... whoever met
him should know him and should know also that God had forbidden any man ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of adam and.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Kill Sinners?
... OF MURDER (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to kill sinners? ... Now whatever is
forbidden by God is a sin. Therefore it is a sin to kill a sinner. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 7.htm

This is the Reason, Then, Why Christians are Counted Public ...
... magicians, about the life of the C??sars,"arts which, as made known by the angels
who sinned, and forbidden by God, Christians do ... 127] To murder Pertinax. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxxv this is the.htm