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 Hebrew word used here, "ratsach," specifically refers to unlawful killing, distinguishing it from killing in war or capital punishment, which were permitted under certain circumstances in the Old Testament (
Numbers 35:19-21).
In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, this commandment served to protect the community by establishing a legal and moral framework that valued life and discouraged acts of violence. The prohibition against murder is not only a legal directive but also a moral one, reflecting God's character as the giver of life.
This commandment is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus expands on its meaning in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that even harboring anger or hatred towards another person is akin to murder, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.
The commandment also connects to the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to uphold justice and protect the innocent (
Proverbs 6:16-19). The prohibition against murder is a call to respect and preserve life, aligning with the prophetic vision of a world where peace and justice reign (
Isaiah 2:4).
In typology, this commandment points to Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate respect for life. As the Good Shepherd, He lays down His life for His sheep (
John 10:11), offering redemption and eternal life to humanity. Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection affirm the value of life and provide the means for reconciliation with God and others.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
Mount SinaiThe mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment "You shall not murder."
3.
The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and received the Law as a covenant with God.
Teaching Points
Sanctity of LifeHuman life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This commandment underscores the value God places on life.
Heart ConditionJesus teaches that the root of murder is found in the heart. Anger and hatred are serious issues that need to be addressed.
Community and RelationshipsThis commandment calls us to live in peace and harmony with others, promoting reconciliation and forgiveness.
Legal and Moral ImplicationsWhile the commandment has legal implications, it also challenges us to consider our moral responsibilities towards others.
Respect and DignityWe are called to respect and uphold the dignity of every person, recognizing their worth as God's creation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 20:13?
2.How does "You shall not murder" apply to modern-day ethical dilemmas?
3.What is the difference between murder and killing in Exodus 20:13?
4.How does Jesus expand on Exodus 20:13 in Matthew 5:21-22?
5.How can Exodus 20:13 influence our views on anger and forgiveness?
6.What steps can we take to uphold the commandment in Exodus 20:13 daily?
7.How does "You shall not murder" apply to self-defense situations?
8.Does Exodus 20:13 prohibit capital punishment?
9.How does Exodus 20:13 relate to war and military service?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?
11.Does the prescribed stoning for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:14) contradict the Sixth Commandment against killing (Exodus 20:13)?
12.Does the Bible say "kill" or "murder"?
13.How do abortion and miscarriage differ?
14.How has the Bible shaped cultural and societal norms?What Does Exodus 20:13 Mean
You• The command is directed personally: “You” means every individual standing before God.
• It places moral responsibility on each listener, not only on society or government (Deuteronomy 5:17).
• Scripture consistently treats human life as sacred because each person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27; 9:6).
• By addressing “You,” the Lord underscores that obedience is possible and expected for every heart—no excuses, no exemptions (Romans 14:12).
shall• “Shall” signals an authoritative, binding mandate, not a suggestion (Leviticus 22:31).
• The command carries forward into the New Testament where Jesus says, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).
• It reminds believers that God’s moral law remains fixed and trustworthy, revealing His unchanging character (Psalm 119:89).
not• “Not” makes the command absolute; it closes the door to rationalizing sinful aggression.
• Scripture differentiates between murder and legitimate uses of force—self-defense (Exodus 22:2), just war (Ecclesiastes 3:8), or capital punishment instituted by God (Genesis 9:6;Romans 13:4).
• The prohibition protects both the weak and the strong, affirming that no one is above God’s standard (Numbers 35:30-31).
murder• Murder is the intentional, unauthorized taking of innocent human life.
• Jesus deepens the command by tracing murder back to its root of sinful anger: “Everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).
• Forms include premeditated killing (2 Samuel 11), clandestine violence (Proverbs 1:11), and even modern assaults on life such as abortion or euthanasia—each violates the Creator’s design (Psalm 139:13-16).
• God demands justice for victims and offers mercy to repentant offenders (1 John 1:9;1 Timothy 1:15).
summaryExodus 20:13, “You shall not murder,” charges every person to honor the sanctity of life because all people reflect God’s image. The imperative is firm, the prohibition is absolute, and the target is any unlawful, intentional taking of life—including its heart-level origins in hatred. Scripture holds this standard across both Testaments, defending the vulnerable and pointing each soul to Christ, who fulfills the law and empowers believers to cherish life.
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Thou shalt not kill.--From the peculiar duties owed by children to their parents, the Divine legislator went on to lay down those general duties which men owe to their fellow-men. And of these the first is that of respecting their life. The security of life is the primary object of government; and it has been well said that men originally coalesced into States with a view to self-preservation (Arist.,
Pol. i. 1). All written codes forbid murder; and in communities which are without written codes an unwritten law condemns it. When God "set a mark upon Cain" (
Genesis 4:15), He marked thereby His abhorrence of the murderer. The "seven precepts of Noah" included one which distinctly forbade the taking of human life (
Genesis 9:6). In all countries and among all peoples, a natural instinct or an unwritten tradition placed murder among the worst of crimes, and made its penalty death. The Mosaic legislation on the point was differenced from others principally by the care it took to distinguish between actual murder, manslaughter (
Exodus 21:13), death by misadventure (
Numbers 35:23), and justifiable homicide (
Exodus 22:2). Before, however, it made these distinctions, the great principle of the sanctity of human life required to be broadly laid down; and so the law was given in the widest possible terms--"Thou shalt not kill." Exceptions were reserved till later.
Verse 13. -
Thou shalt not kill. Here again is a moral precept included in all codes, and placed by all in a prominent position. Our first duty towards our neighbour is to respect his life. When Cain slew Abel, he could scarcely have known what he was doing; yet a terrible punishment was awarded him for his transgression (
Genesis 4:11-14). After the flood, the solemn declaration was made, which thenceforward became a universal law among mankind - "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (
Genesis 9:6). In the world that followed the flood, all races of men had the tradition that only blood could expiate blood. In the few places where there was an organised government, and a systematic administration of justice, the State acted on the principle, and punished the murderer capitally. Elsewhere, among tribes and races which had not vet coalesced into states, the law of blood-revenge obtained, and the inquisition for blood became a private affair. The next of kin was the recognised" avenger," upon whom it devolved to hunt out the murderer and punish him. Here the sin is simply and emphatically denounced, the brevity of the precept increasing its force. The Israelites are told that to take life is a crime. God forbids it. As usual, no exceptions are made. Exceptions appear later on (
Numbers 35:22-25;
Deuteronomy 4:42; etc.); but the first thing is to establish the principle. Human life is sacred. Man is not to shed the blood of his fellow-man. If he does, of his hand will the life taken surely be required. The casuistic question whether suicide is forbidden under this precept, probably did not occur to the legislator or to the Hebrews of his time. Neither the Hebrews, nor the Egyptians, among whom they had so long lived, were addicted to suicide; and it is a general rule that laws are not made excepting against tolerably well-known crimes. It has been argued that angry thoughts and insulting words were forbidden by it on the strength of our Lord's comment in the Sermon on the Mount (
Matthew 5:21, 22). But it seems to the present writer that in
Matthew 5:21-47 our Lord is not so much explaining the Jewish law as amplifying it on his own authority - note the repetition of the phrase, "But I say unto you" - and making it mean to Christians what it had not meant to Jews.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You shall notלֹ֥֖א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nomurder.תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח׃(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: Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder (Exo. Ex) 
