You shall not murder.This commandment is part of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is a fundamental moral law that underscores the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27). The prohibition against murder is not merely a legal injunction but a divine mandate that reflects God's character and His desire for justice and righteousness among His people.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, murder was a serious offense, often leading to blood feuds and cycles of vengeance. This commandment seeks to break that cycle by establishing a clear boundary against taking innocent life. The Hebrew word used here for "murder" is "ratsach," which specifically refers to unlawful killing, distinguishing it from killing in war or capital punishment, which were sometimes sanctioned under the Mosaic Law.
The commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus expands its meaning in the Sermon on the Mount (
Matthew 5:21-22). He teaches that even harboring anger or hatred towards another person is akin to murder, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.
This commandment also points to the value God places on human life and the need for His people to reflect His love and justice. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who came to give life and to restore broken relationships between God and humanity. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness and the power to overcome hatred and violence, fulfilling the deeper intent of this commandment.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Moses- The leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai and delivered them to the people.
2.
Israelites- The chosen people of God, who were given the Law as a covenant to live by as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
3.
Mount Sinai- The place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment "You shall not murder."
4.
God- The divine lawgiver who established the moral and ethical standards for His people through the commandments.
5.
Promised Land- The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where the Israelites were to live according to God's laws.
Teaching Points
Sanctity of LifeHuman life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This commandment calls us to respect and protect life.
Heart AttitudeJesus teaches that the root of murder lies in the heart. We must guard against anger and hatred, which can lead to destructive actions.
Love as Fulfillment of the LawLoving our neighbor as ourselves is the essence of the law. By cultivating love, we naturally uphold the commandment against murder.
Community ResponsibilityAs a community of believers, we are called to uphold justice and peace, ensuring that life is valued and protected.
Forgiveness and ReconciliationIn light of Christ's teachings, we are encouraged to seek reconciliation and forgiveness, breaking the cycle of anger and violence.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:17?
2.How does Deuteronomy 5:17 guide our understanding of the sanctity of life?
3.What are practical ways to uphold "You shall not murder" in daily life?
4.How does Jesus expand on this commandment in Matthew 5:21-22?
5.How can we address anger to prevent violating Deuteronomy 5:17's principle?
6.What societal changes align with the commandment "You shall not murder"?
7.How does Deuteronomy 5:17 align with the broader biblical theme of valuing human life?
8.What historical context influenced the commandment "You shall not murder" in Deuteronomy 5:17?
9.How does Deuteronomy 5:17 differentiate between murder and killing in self-defense or war?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 5?
11.What are the Catholic Ten Commandments?
12.What is the meaning of "You shall not murder"?
13.Does the Bible say "kill" or "murder"?
14.Does the Bible say 'kill' or 'murder'?What Does Deuteronomy 5:17 Mean
The Command in Context“You shall not murder.” (Deuteronomy 5:17)
• God repeats this word-for-word fromExodus 20:13, anchoring it in both the original Sinai covenant and Moses’ final sermon.
• Placed between commands that guard family (honor parents) and property (do not commit adultery/steal), it shows that the protection of life is foundational.
• The absolute form matchesGenesis 9:6, where the LORD links human blood to His image, establishing murder as an offense against God Himself.
Understanding “You”• The verb is directed to each Israelite personally—no one can hide behind tribe, government, or circumstance (Romans 13:9).
• Scripture consistently individualizes accountability: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20) and “Each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).
• By addressing the ordinary believer, the command overturns ancient cultures that excused the powerful; kings like David (2 Samuel 12:9-13) were equally bound.
Understanding “shall not”• This is not a suggestion but a divine prohibition, an unchanging moral line.
• The gravity is underscored by civil penalties: “Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death” (Exodus 21:12).
• No loopholes exist; even unintentional killing demanded refuge and investigation (Numbers 35:9-34), highlighting how seriously God treats human life.
Understanding “murder”• Scripture distinguishes murder from killing in war (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) or self-defense (Exodus 22:2).
• Murder is the intentional, unjust taking of innocent life—premeditated or in reckless anger (Proverbs 1:11-12).
• God condemns shedding “innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17), covering acts such as abortion (Psalm 139:13-16;Jeremiah 1:5) and euthanasia.
The Value of Human Life• Every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27), making life sacred from conception to natural death.
•Genesis 9:6 grounds the prohibition not in social contract but in divine creation: “for God made man in His own image.”
• When Cain slew Abel, God said, “Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10), revealing that violence against life calls for divine response.
The Heart Behind the Command• Jesus deepens the issue: “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).
• Hatred equals murder in God’s sight (1 John 3:15). Internal contempt, cutting words, and spiteful actions violate the spirit ofDeuteronomy 5:17.
• Positive obedience means cherishing, protecting, and dignifying others (Luke 10:33-37).
Applications Today• Guarding life: oppose abortion, euthanasia, human trafficking, and any policy that devalues people (Psalm 82:3-4).
• Cultivating peace: pursue reconciliation, forgive quickly, and refuse vengeance (Romans 12:17-19).
• Supporting just authority: the state “does not bear the sword in vain” to restrain evil (Romans 13:4), so believers pray for and uphold lawful justice.
Christ and the Command• On the cross, Jesus was murdered by sinful men (Acts 2:23), yet He bore the penalty of our murderous hearts.
• His resurrection offers new life and a new heart that loves instead of hates (Ezekiel 36:26;2 Corinthians 5:17).
• Through the Spirit, believers become agents of life, proclaiming the gospel that rescues from death (John 10:10).
summaryDeuteronomy 5:17 is God’s direct, personal, and unchanging safeguard for every human life. It forbids the deliberate taking of innocent life, exposes hateful attitudes as murderous, and calls believers to honor the divine image in others by protecting, valuing, and nurturing life from womb to tomb.
(17-20) The wording of these four commandments is the same with that of Exodus 20.
Verses 17-21. - SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW:
praecepta probitatis. In the enactments of the second table there is a progression from the outward to the inward. First, sins of
deed are prohibited, such as murder, adultery, and theft; then sins of
word, such as injury of a neighbor's good name by false testimony; and finally, sins of
the heart, which do not come into open manifestation, such as covetousness and evil desire. The "commandment" is thus seen to be" exceeding broad" (
Psalm 119:96). So that only the man "who hath clean hands and a pure heart, and who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully," shall "ascend into the hill of the Lord, or stand in his holy place" (
Psalm 24:8, 4).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You shall notלֹ֥֖א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nomurder.תִּֿרְצָֽח׃(trə·ṣāḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7523:To dash in pieces, kill, to murder
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:17 You shall not murder (Deut. De Du) 
