Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Murder, as defined in the Bible, is the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life. It is considered a grave sin and a violation of God's commandments. The act of murder is explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments, where it is stated, "You shall not murder" (
Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27).
Biblical Instances and Teachings:The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings regarding murder, illustrating its consequences and the divine judgment that follows.
1.
Cain and Abel: The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. Driven by jealousy and anger, Cain killed Abel, leading to God's judgment upon him. God said to Cain, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (
Genesis 4:10). This narrative highlights the seriousness of murder and the divine awareness of such acts.
2.
David and Uriah: King David's orchestration of Uriah's death to cover his adultery with Bathsheba is another significant instance of murder. Despite David's repentance, the consequences of his actions were severe, affecting his family and reign (2 Samuel 11-12). This account illustrates the far-reaching impact of murder and the necessity of repentance.
3.
Jezebel and Naboth: Queen Jezebel's plot to have Naboth murdered so that King Ahab could seize his vineyard is another example of murder driven by greed and power (1 Kings 21). This act led to divine retribution against Ahab's house, demonstrating God's justice.
Teachings of Jesus:In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, emphasizing the heart's condition. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (
Matthew 5:22). Jesus equates harboring anger and hatred with the act of murder, highlighting the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.
Apostolic Teachings:The apostles continue to affirm the prohibition against murder. The Apostle Paul lists murder among the works of the flesh, which are contrary to the Spirit (
Galatians 5:19-21). The Apostle John further emphasizes that "anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" (1
John 3:15).
Theological Implications:Murder is not only a crime against humanity but also an affront to God, who is the giver of life. It disrupts the divine order and reflects the fallen nature of humanity. The Bible consistently calls for justice and righteousness, urging believers to uphold the value of life and to seek reconciliation and forgiveness.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:The biblical prohibition against murder extends beyond the physical act to include attitudes and intentions. Believers are called to love their neighbors and even their enemies, promoting peace and harmony. The sanctity of life is a foundational principle that guides Christian ethics and moral behavior.
Conclusion:The biblical perspective on murder is clear and unequivocal. It is a sin that incurs divine judgment and requires repentance and transformation of the heart. Through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, believers are called to a higher standard of love and respect for all human life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Murder.
Greek
5407. phoneuo -- to kill, murder... Word Origin from phoneus Definition to kill, murder NASB Word Usage commit murder
(5), commits murder (1), murder (3),
murdered (2), put to death (1).
...Strong's Hebrew
2026. harag -- to kill, slay... slay NASB Word Usage destroyed (1), kill (44), kill me as you killed (1), kill me
at once (1), killed (58), killing (3), kills (2),
murdered (2), murderer (1
...7523. ratsach -- to murder, slay
... root Definition to murder, slay NASB Word Usage killed (1), kills the manslayer
(1), manslayer (18), murder (7),murdered (2), murderer (12), murderer shall be...
Library
"SimplyMurdered"
... CHAPTER XV "SimplyMurdered". "'Agonia'"that word so often on St. Paul's lips, what
did it mean? Did it not just mean the thousand wearinesses . . ....
How AbsalomMurdered Amnon, who had Forced his Own Sister; and How...
... CHAPTER 8. How AbsalomMurdered Amnon, Who Had Forced His Own Sister;
And How He Was Banished And Afterwards Recalled By David....
HisMurdered Father's Head
... BOOK II CHAPTER XXXVI HISMURDERED FATHER'S HEAD. Est genus extremos Scythi??
vergentis in ortus Trans gelidum Tanaim, quo non famosius ullum....
How Herod Upon his Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care that...
... CHAPTER 3. How Herod Upon His Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care That He Should
BeMurdered In A Little Time; And What Apology He Made To Antony About...
Argument: the Story About Christians Drinking the Blood of an...
... Chapter XXX."Argument: The Story About Christians Drinking the Blood of
an Infant that They HaveMurdered, is a Barefaced Calumny....
Letter Written by the Emperor Constantine to Sapor , the King of...
... wife; Nero, driven to shameful suicide; Vitellius, beaten to death by a brutal mob;
Domitian, assassinated by his wife and freedmen; Commodus,murdered by his...
Passing Years
... Ambrose and St. Martin of Tours, he was the first who allowed Christians to be
murdered by their fellow-Christians because of their opinions....
The Riot
... Forty-two had beenmurdered, three had committed suicide, one had perished in a
rebellion, two had abdicated, one had been drowned, one had mysteriously...
Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... There is strange news in Rome to- night! The famous artist, Angela Sovrani, has
been found in her studio,murdered!".... "Murdered!". "So it seems!...
The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... Now, we have in our text "blood" mentioned"two-fold blood. We have the
blood ofmurdered Abel, and the blood ofmurdered Jesus....
Thesaurus
Murdered (25 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Murdered (25 Occurrences). Matthew 22:6 and the rest seized
the king's servants, maltreated them, and
murdered them. (WEY).
...Persians (6 Occurrences)
... During his absence, a Magian, Gaumata, who pretended to be Smerdis (Bardiya), Cambyses'
murdered brother, seized the throne.... In 464 BC he wasmurdered....
Antiochus
... When Seleucus returned to Macedonia in 281, he wasmurdered by Ptolemeus Ceraunus.
Antiochus thus became ruler of the whole Syrian kingdom....
Maccabaeus
... His son and successor Seleucus IV wasmurdered by his prime minister Heliodorus
in 176-175 BC, who reaped no benefit from his crime....
Maccabees
... His son and successor Seleucus IV wasmurdered by his prime minister Heliodorus
in 176-175 BC, who reaped no benefit from his crime....
Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)
... From profane history and the inscriptions, we are led to conclude that he was the
Neriglissar whomurdered Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, and...
Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences)
... From profane history and the inscriptions, we are led to conclude that he was the
Neriglissar whomurdered Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, and...
Jael (6 Occurrences)
... she took a "tent-pin, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and
smote the pin into his temples" (Judges 4:21), and havingmurdered him, goes...
Tryphon
... Simon, brother of Jonathan, now undertook the conduct of affairs and thwarted Tryphon
in his attempts upon Jerusalem, whereupon the lattermurdered Jonathan at...
Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)
... He wasmurdered in the royal palace of Samaria by Pekah, one of the captains of
his army (2 Kings 15:23-26), after a reign of two years (BC 761-759)....
Resources
What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an avenger of blood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow did Cain die? What happened to Cain? | GotQuestions.orgMurdered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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