Killing: What should we believe about it?
Isn’t one of the Ten Commandments about this? It surely is!
Exodus 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
But doesn’t the Bible also authorize killing in certain instances? Yes, it certainly does! One of my favorite passages of Scripture speaks of this as it relates to one’s responsibilities as a soldier in warfare. Note what King David, “a man after God’s own heart,” said about this.
Psalm 144:1
1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: [Emphasis added]
All killing is not to be classified as murder. In those cases where it is, where justice is served, the penalty is to be capital punishment—death.
Genesis 9:5-6
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, BY MAN [the proper authority figure] shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. [Emphasis added]
This law of God was set in place for mankind even long before the Mosaic Law was given of Him. But there, too, this principle is clearly stated.
In studying this very controversial subject, let’s start at the top and work our way through some information I gathered about this nearly a half century ago that’s just as true now as it was then—
We begin with a definition— Murder is to kill a human being unlawfully and with predetermined malice aforethought. This is a person’s intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification for it. Murder is to kill criminally, in contrast to lawful killing. Here are some examples of lawful killing—
—A soldier kills honorably as he fights for his country.
—A police officer kills honorably as he serves to protect innocent citizenry.
—An executioner kills honorably as he carries out the sentence of a judge.
Murder is to deprive a law-abiding individual of his freedom and his right to life by taking his life. The first murderer in all history is the one we speak of as the Devil.
John 8:37-44
37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
They had apparently heard that Joseph was not our Savior’s earthly father. They then assumed his mother, Mary, had fornicated with someone to be impregnated.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. [Emphasis added]
Only by faith in God’s provision for one’s salvation does someone become a child of God.
Galatians 3:26
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]
Some other passages that speak of murder include Genesis 4 and Jude 9-11.
Murder was from the very beginning of human history considered to be not only a sin but one of the worst of all crimes.
Genesis 9:5-6
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast [animal] will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, BY MAN shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. [Emphasis added]
Murder is even listed with six other things that are said to be abominations [detestable or disgusting] to God.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination [TOEBAH = detestable] unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. [Emphasis added]
Murder is always preceded by mental attitude sins. We see a great example of this in the first murder of history—the murder of Abel by his brother, Cain—
Genesis 4:5-6
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth [CHARAH = heated, wrathful], and his countenance fell [PANIM = facial expression (showed it)].
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [Emphasis added]
There are numerous other passages that serve to warn us about this—
Matthew 5:22
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment [being tried in a court]: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [an Aramaic term for contempt], shall be in danger of the council [tried in court]: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell [Gehenna] fire. [Emphasis added]
For more information about hell and Gehenna, please see my articles—
Hell: Does God pick and choose who’s going there?
Hell: How can a loving God send people there?
Hell: What does the apostle Paul teach about it?
Hell: Will the suffering last forever?
Romans 1:28-29
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate [ADOKIMOS = rejected, disapproved, or perverted] mind, to do those things which are not convenient [KATHEKO = proper or fitting];
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate [ERIS = strife], deceit, malignity; whisperers, [Emphasis added]
Murder is an expression of one’s rejection of the authority of God’s Word in one’s life.
II Samuel 12:9
9 Wherefore hast thou [King David] despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. [Emphasis added]
Therefore, murder is prohibited by the Word of God.
Again, Exodus 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
Deuteronomy 5:17
17 Thou shalt not kill.
What we speak of today as homicide or murder is clearly forbidden. Some have claimed that because these prohibitions are a part of the Mosaic Law, we are not under them. Some would claim that all this changed for “New Testament times.” But such is nowhere stated in Scripture for us. Please note what our apostle Paul says about this.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. [Emphasis added]
These prohibitions were all placed there for our benefit and for our learning. Here are more of our apostle Paul’s words about it.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning [DIDASKALIA = teaching or instruction], that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
The Mosaic Law tells us the attitude God has toward various forms of murder.
Examples:
1). Even animals were to be punished if they took the life of a human being.
Genesis 9:5-6
5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, BY MAN shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. [Emphasis added]
If an animal known to be vicious caused the death of anyone, not only was the animal destroyed, but the owner of the animal, too. Also, if he had taken no steps to restrain it, he was held guilty of murder.
Exodus 21:29,31
29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. [Emphasis added]
2). Striking a pregnant woman so as to cause her death or that of her child was punishable by death.
Exodus 21:22
22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. [Emphasis added]
This is one of other passages that tell us a fetus IS a human being and should be treated as one.
The principle of equity was to be applied in every case for there to be fairness.
Exodus 21:23-25
23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. [Emphasis added]
Again, America is not under the authority of the Mosaic Law today, but these things are all in our Bible for us to learn from the wisdom and example they provide.
Again, Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning [DIDASKALIA = teaching or instruction], that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
3). It was lawful to kill a burglar taken at night in the act, but unlawful to do so after sunrise.
Exodus 22:1-3
1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If a thief be found breaking up [breaking and entering], and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold [into slavery] for his theft. [Emphasis added]
For more information about what our Bible says about slavery, please see my article about it—
Slavery: What does the Bible teach us about it?
There have been times when God has rebuked His people for not killing. To fully understand these examples the context of the passage must be studied.
1). King Saul in his refusal to kill king Agag.
1 Samuel 15:18-19
18 And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord? [Emphasis added]
2). The children of Gad and the children of Reuben were warned if they did not assist their fellow countrymen in the killing of the occupants and the seizing of the land beyond the Jordan River.
Numbers 32:23
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. [Emphasis added]
Even Jesus advocated the carrying of a weapon to defend oneself against murderers and other criminals.
Luke 22:35-38
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. [Emphasis added]
For more information about this, please see my article—
Government: What about the right to bear arms?
In the Old Testament times, determining a person’s guilt was a responsibility of Israel’s priesthood. They were the judges and administrators of justice in the land. In our time this responsibility belongs to certain appointed people in the government of nations. The nation’s leaders appoint or elect magistrates. Our apostle Paul gives us God’s policy concerning this for today.
Romans 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers [EXZOUSIA = authority]. For there is no power [EXZOUSIA = authority] but of God: the powers [EXZOUSIA = authorities] that be are ordained [TASSO = ordained or appointed] of God.
This tells us it is ultimately GOD who puts these people in place.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth [ANTITASSO = [(a military term) arranged against] the power, resisteth the ordinance [DIATAGE = ordinance or disposition] of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power [the authority figure]? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister [DIAKONOS = servant] of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain [a reference to his right to administer capital punishment]: for he [the executioner] is the minister [DIAKONOS = servant] of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject [submissive (law-abiding)], not only for wrath [because of the threat of punishment], but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute [PHOROS = taxes] also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. [Emphasis added]
In the past, present, and in the future, it is to God that we are all ultimately held accountable to for our decisions. But wherever there is just law, capital punishment is the just penalty for murder. We have Scripture about this for all periods of history. This was true before the Mosaic Law—
Genesis 9:6
6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. [Emphasis added]
It was true under the Mosaic Law—
Again, Exodus 20:13
13 Thou shalt not kill.
Again, Deuteronomy 5:17
17 Thou shalt not kill.
It is NOW true AFTER the time the Mosaic Law was in place over Israel—
Romans 13:3-4
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of GOD to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil [any form of criminal activity], BE AFRAID; for he beareth not the sword [speaking of capital punishment] in vain: for he is the minister of GOD, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil [speaking of criminal activity]. [Emphasis added]
It should seem obvious that not all forms of killing are to be classified as murder; for if such was the case, even the execution of a murderer would be murder, bringing the same guilt upon the executioner as that which was upon the one being executed. As I’ve noted, killing in warfare in defense of one’s country is another form of killing that is not only acceptable but honorable. Military heroes are to be viewed as among the best of a nation’s celebrities.
1 Chronicles 5:22
22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. [Emphasis added]
Isaiah 37:36
36 Then the angel of the Lord [a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ] went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. [Emphasis added]
What is typically called manslaughter [or “manslayer” = taking another person’s life accidentally] must be differentiated from murder. The examples in Scripture are sufficient to explain the principle—
1). Death by a blow in a sudden quarrel—
Numbers 35:22
22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [Emphasis added]
2). Death by an object thrown at random—
Numbers 35:22-23
22 But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
23 Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [Emphasis added]
3). Death by the blade of an ax flying from its handle—
Deuteronomy 19:5
5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities [cities of refuge—a place someone could go for protection until there could be a trial], and live: [Emphasis added]
4). Death by falling from a “roof” [balcony] with inadequate railing—
Deuteronomy 22:8
8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement [MAAQEH = rail or restraint] for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence. [Emphasis added]
Conclusion—
All murder involves killing but all killing is NOT murder. We all have the responsibility of recognizing and acting in accordance with the difference. When it is learned that murder has occurred the guilty party should always be executed. If they are not killed, injustice has occurred. Furthermore, the execution of murderers is always a deterrent to more murder and sometimes even other crimes.
