Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Biblical Context:Murder, as defined in the Bible, is the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life. It is distinguished from killing in warfare or accidental death, which are treated differently in biblical law. Murder is considered a grave sin and a violation of the sanctity of life, which is a gift from God.
Old Testament References:The prohibition against murder is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not murder" (
Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the value God places on human life, created in His image (
Genesis 1:27). The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain, which is described in
Genesis 4:8. God’s response to Cain highlights the seriousness of the crime: "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (
Genesis 4:10).
The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the consequences of murder.
Numbers 35:16-21 outlines the distinction between murder and manslaughter, prescribing the death penalty for intentional murder. The cities of refuge were established to protect those who committed unintentional manslaughter until a fair trial could be conducted (
Numbers 35:9-15).
New Testament Teachings:In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, addressing the heart's intentions. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches, "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 emphasizes that harboring anger and hatred is akin to murder in God's eyes, as it reflects a heart condition contrary to love and reconciliation.
The apostle John reiterates this principle, stating, "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 underscores the New Testament's focus on the internal attitudes that lead to external actions.
Theological Implications:Murder is not only a crime against humanity but also an offense against God, who is the author of life. The Bible consistently affirms the inherent value of human life and the need for justice. The act of murder disrupts the divine order and reflects the fallen nature of humanity. However, the Bible also offers redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who calls for repentance and transformation of the heart.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:From a biblical perspective, the sanctity of life is paramount. Christians are called to uphold the value of life, promote peace, and seek justice. The teachings of Jesus encourage believers to address the root causes of violence, such as anger and hatred, and to pursue reconciliation and love. The biblical view of murder challenges individuals and societies to reflect on their attitudes towards life and justice, advocating for a culture that respects and protects human life at all stages.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
MurderThe law of Moses, while it protected the accidental homicide, defined with additional strictness the crime of murder. It prohibited compensation or reprieve of the murderer, or his protection if he took refuge in the refuge city, or even at the altar of Jehovah. (Exodus 21:12,14;Leviticus 24:17,21;1 Kings 2:5,6,31) The duty of executing punishment on the murderer is in the law expressly laid on the "revenger of blood;" but the question of guilt was to be previously decided by the Levitical tribunal. In regal times the duty of execution of justice on a murderer seems to have been assumed to some extent by the sovereign, as was also the privilege of pardon. (2 Samuel 13:39;14:7,11;1 Kings 2:34) It was lawful to kill a burglar taken at night in the act, but unlawful to do so after sunrise. (Exodus 22:2,3)
ATS Bible Dictionary
MurderThe designed and malevolent taking of human life, was by the original appointment of God, a crime to be punished by death. Cain, the first murderer, recognized it as such,Genesis 4:14. The ground for the death penalty for murder is the eminent dignity and sacredness of man as a child of God,Genesis 9:5-6. Like the Sabbath and marriage, it is a primeval and universal institution for mankind, and all nations have so recognized it,Acts 28:4. The Mosaic code reenacted it, Le 24:17; and while providing for the unintentional homicide a safe retreat, declares that deliberate murder must be punished by death, from which neither the city of refuge nor the altar of God could shield the criminal,Exodus 21:12-14Numbers 35:9-34 De 19:1-131 Kings 2:5-6,28-34. Death was usually inflicted by stoning, upon the testimony of at least two witnesses,Numbers 35:30. If a corpse were found in the open fields, and the murderer could not be discovered, the town nearest to the spot was obliged to purge itself by a solemn ceremony, lest it should become liable to the judgments of God, De 21:1-9.
In various ways God is represented as specially abhorring this crime, and securing its punishment, De 32:432 Samuel 21:1Psalm 9:12 55:23Hosea 1:4Revelation 22:15. Our Savior instructs us that one may be guilty, in the sight of God, of murder in the heart, without any overt act,Matthew 5:21-221John 3:15. Nothing is said especially in the law respecting selfmurder, and only the cases of Saul, Ahithophel, and Judas are described in the Bible,1 Samuel 31:42 Samuel 17:23Acts 1:18. Of all murders, that of the soul is incomparably the most awful,John 8:44, and many plunge not only themselves but also others into the second death.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (
Numbers 35:16, 18, 21, 31;
Leviticus 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (
Genesis 9:5, 6;
John 8:44; 1
John 3:12, 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (
Exodus 21:12, 14;
Deuteronomy 19:11, 13;
2 Samuel 17:25;
20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (
Numbers 35:19-30;
Deuteronomy 17:6-12). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (
Deuteronomy 21:1-9). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (
Exodus 21:15-17;
Deuteronomy 27:16).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The offense of killing a human being with malice pretense or aforethought, express or implied; intentional and unlawful homicide.
2. (n.) To kill with premeditated malice; to kill (a human being) willfully, deliberately, and unlawfully. See Murder.
3. (n.) To destroy; to put an end to.
4. (n.) To mutilate, spoil, or deform, as if with malice or cruelty; to mangle; as, to murder the king's English.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MURDER1. Terms:
mur'-der (haragh, "to smite," "destroy," "kill," "slay" (Psalm 10:8Hosea 9:13 AV), ratsach, "to dash to pieces," "kill," especially with premeditation (Numbers 35:16 and frequently; Job 24:14; Psalm 94:6; Jeremiah 7:9; Ho 6:9); phoneus, "criminal homicide," from phoneuo, "to kill," "slay"; phonos, from pheno, has the same meaning; anthropoktonos, "manslayer," "murderer," is used to designate Satan (John 8:44) and him that hates his brother (1John 3:15); a matricide is designated as metraloas (1 Timothy 1:9); compare adelphokionos, "fratricidal" (The Wisdom of Solomon 10:3). The plural of phonos, "murders," occurs inMatthew 15:19Mark 7:21Galatians 5:21 the King James Version;Revelation 9:21; compare 2 Maccabees 4:3, 18; 12:6):
2. The Hebrew Law:
The Hebrew law recognized the distinction between willful murder and accidental or justifiable homicide (Numbers 25:16); but in legal language no verbal distinction is made. Murder was always subject to capital punishment (Leviticus 24:17; compareGenesis 9:6). Even if the criminal sought the protection of the sanctuary, he was to be arrested before the altar, and to be punished (Exodus 21:12, 14Leviticus 24:17, 21Numbers 35:16, 18, 21, 31). The Mishna says that a mortal blow intended for another than the victim is punishable with death; but such a provision is not found in the Law. No special mention is made of
(a) child murder;
(b) parricide; or
(c) taking life by poison;
but the intention of the law is clear with reference to all these eases (Exodus 21:15, 171 Timothy 1:9Matthew 15:4). No punishment is mentioned for attempted suicide (compare1 Samuel 31:4;1 Kings 16:18Matthew 27:5); yet Josephus says (BJ, III, viii, 5) that suicide was held criminal by the Jews (see alsoExodus 21:23). An animal known to be vicious must be confined, and if it caused the death of anyone, the animal was destroyed and the owner held guilty of murder (Exodus 21:29, 31). The executioner, according to the terms of the Law, was the "revenger of blood"; but the guilt must be previously determined by the Levitical tribunal. Strong protection was given by the requirement that at least two witnesses must concur in any capital question (Numbers 35:19-30Deuteronomy 17:6-12;Deuteronomy 19:12, 17). Under the monarchy the duty of executing justice on a murderer seems to have been assumed to some extent by the sovereign, who also had power to grant pardon (2 Samuel 13:39;2 Samuel 14:7, 111 Kings 2:34).
SeeMANSLAYER.
Frank E. Hirsch
Greek
5407. phoneuo -- to kill,murder... to kill,
murder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phoneuo Phonetic Spelling:
(fon-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I
murder Definition: I
murder, kill.
...5408. phonos -- amurder
... amurder. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: phonos Phonetic Spelling:
(fon'-os) Short Definition:murder, slaughter Definition:murder, slaughter...
337. anaireo -- to take up, take away, make an end
... away, make an end. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaireo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ahee-reh'-o) Short Definition: I take up, abolish,murder Definition: I...
336. anairesis -- a taking up, a destroying, slaying
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anairesis Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition: killing, slaying,murder Definition: taking...
Strong's Hebrew
7523. ratsach -- tomurder, slay... 7522, 7523. ratsach. 7524 . to
murder, slay. Transliteration: ratsach Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-tsakh') Short Definition: manslayer. Word Origin a prim.
...7524. retsach -- a shattering
... slaughter, sword. From ratsach; a crushing; specifically, amurder-cry -- slaughter,
sword. see HEBREW ratsach. 7523, 7524. retsach. 7525 . Strong's Numbers
2026. harag -- to kill, slay
... A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent -- destroy, out of hand, kill,
murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), X surely. 2025, 2026....
Library
OfMurder (Eight Articles)
... OFMURDER (EIGHT ARTICLES). In due sequence we must consider the vices
opposed to commutative justice. We must consider (1) those...
Whether Wife-Murder is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF WIFE-MURDER (TWO ARTICLES) Whether wife-murder is an impediment to marriage?
Objection 1: It would seem that wife-murder is not an impediment to marriage....
Knox, Wishart, and theMurder of Beaton: 1545-1546
... CHAPTER II: KNOX, WISHART, AND THEMURDER OF BEATON: 1545-1546. Our earliest
knowledge of Knox, apart from mention of him in notarial...
Of Wife-Murder (Two Articles)
... OF WIFE-MURDER (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider wife-murder, under
which head there are two points of inquiry: (1) Whether in...
The Emperor Indignant at theMurder of George, Rebukes the...
... Book III. Chapter III."The Emperor Indignant at theMurder of George, rebukes
the Alexandrians by Letter. The emperor being highly...
TheMurder of Aristobulus and Hyrcanus, the High Priests, as Also...
... CHAPTER 22. TheMurder Of Aristobulus And Hyrcanus, The High Priests, As
Also Of Mariamne The Queen. 1. However, fortune was avenged...
Reign of Sanadroug;Murder of Abgar's Children; the Princess...
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. X. Reign of
Sanadroug;murder of Abgar's children; the princess Helena....
But this Commandment Seems Only to Speak ofMurder?
... Lord's Day 40 Question 106 But this commandment seems only to speak ofmurder?
But this commandment seems only to speak ofmurder?...
Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine Became a Christian in...
... Book I. Chapter V."Refutation of the Assertion that Constantine became a
Christian in consequence of theMurder of his son Crispus....
Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense. --Particular Examples...
... Fulfilling of the Law in the Higher Sense."Particular Examples, viz., (1.)Murder;
(2.) Adultery; (3.) Divorce; (4.) Perjury; (5.) Revenge; (6.) National...
Thesaurus
Murder (41 Occurrences)... Wilful
murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited
with capital punishment (Numbers 35:16, 18, 21, 31; Leviticus 24:17).
...Commit (142 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Thou shalt not commit
murder', and whoever commitsmurder will be answerable to the magistrate....
Goel
... A clear distinction was made between an accidental and a deliberatemurder.... See
also AVENGE;MURDER; REFUGE, CITIES OF. Arthur L. Breslich....
Barabbas (10 Occurrences)
... Mark says that he was "bound with them that had made insurrection, men who in the
insurrection had committedmurder" (Matthew 15:7). Luke states that he was...
Steal (29 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:18 He said to him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not
murder.''You shall not commit adultery.''You shall not steal.''You shall not offer...
Homicide (1 Occurrence)
... HOMICIDE. hom'-i-sid (rotseach): Hebrew has no word for killing ormurder; rotseach
is the word for manslayer. The Greek formurder is phonos....
Ones (687 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones,'You shall not
murder;' and'Whoever shallmurder shall be in danger of the judgment.' (WEB)....
Insurrection (8 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:7 There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made
insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committedmurder....
Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)
... his couch at mid-day (2 Samuel 4:5-7); and having cut off his head, presented it
to David, who sternly rebuked them for this cold-bloodedmurder, and ordered...
Infanticide
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Themurder of an infant born alive; themurder
or killing of a newly born or young child; childmurder....
Resources
Do the ends justify the means? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about abortion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about killing in war? Is killing in war a sin? | GotQuestions.orgMurder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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