Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Murder, as defined in the Bible, is the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life. It is considered a grave sin and a direct violation of God's commandments. The act of murder is condemned throughout Scripture, reflecting the sanctity of life as created by God.
Biblical Commandments:The prohibition against murder is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20:13 declares, "You shall not murder." This commandment underscores the value God places on human life and His authority over it.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, murder is distinguished from other forms of killing, such as accidental death or killing in war.
Numbers 35:16-21 provides detailed laws regarding murder, emphasizing the intent and premeditation behind the act. The passage outlines the consequences for murderers, including the death penalty, which was to be carried out by the "avenger of blood."
The account of Cain and Abel in
Genesis 4:8-10 is the first recorded instance of murder. Cain's act of killing his brother Abel is depicted as a result of jealousy and sin, leading to God's judgment upon him. This narrative illustrates the destructive nature of murder and its consequences on both the individual and the community.
New Testament Teachings:In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, addressing the heart's intentions. In
Matthew 5:21-22 , Jesus 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." Here, Jesus emphasizes that harboring anger and hatred is akin to murder in God's eyes, highlighting the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.
The apostle Paul reiterates the commandment in
Romans 13:9 , stating, "The commandments 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This reinforces the idea that love and respect for others are foundational to obeying God's laws.
Consequences and Redemption:The Bible consistently portrays murder as a sin with severe consequences, both in this life and the next.
Revelation 21:8 warns, "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."
Despite the gravity of the sin, the Bible also offers hope for redemption. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, even murderers can find forgiveness and transformation. The apostle Paul, once a persecutor and accomplice to murder, became a leading figure in the early Church after his conversion (
Acts 9:1-22). His life exemplifies the power of God's grace to redeem and restore even those who have committed grave sins.
Conclusion:The biblical perspective on murder underscores the sanctity of life and the seriousness of taking it unlawfully. It calls believers to uphold the value of life, seek reconciliation, and extend grace and forgiveness, reflecting the character of God.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MURDERERSmur'-der-erz (Acts 21:38 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "assassins"): Represents a word only once mentioned in the New Testament, the Greek word sikarios, Latin sicarius from sica, "a small sword," or "dagger." The word describes the hired assassin, of whom there were bands in the pay of agitators in Rome in the last days of the Republic, who employed them to remove surreptitiously their political opponents. In the later days of the Jewish commonwealth, Judea became infested with the same type of ruffian, and it is natural that the Roman commandant at Jerusalem should describe them by the name so well known in the imperial city.
SeeASSASSINS.
T. Nicol.
Greek
409. androphonos -- a manslayer... Word Origin from aner and phonos Definition a manslayer NASB Word Usage
murderers (1). murderer. From aner and phonos; a murderer -- manslayer. see GREEK aner.
...5406. phoneus -- a murderer
... homicide. See 5407 (). Word Origin from phonos Definition a murderer NASB
Word Usage murderer (3),murderers (4). murderer. From...
4293. prokataggello -- to announce beforehand
... persecute? They killed those who had (4293 ) the coming of the Righteous One,
whose betrayers andmurderers you have now become" (). Word...
Strong's Hebrew
2026. harag -- to kill, slay... 1), kill (44), kill me as you killed (1), kill me at once (1), killed (58), killing
(3), kills (2), murdered (2), murderer (1),
murderers (1), occurs (1
...7523. ratsach -- to murder, slay
... NASB Word Usage killed (1), kills the manslayer (1), manslayer (18), murder (7),
murdered (2), murderer (12), murderer shall be put (1),murderers (1), murders...
Library
RoyalMurderers
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS ROYALMURDERERS. 'And it came to pass after these
things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which...
Concerning WilfulMurderers Let them Remain Prostrators; but at...
... Canon XXII. Concerning wilfulmurderers let them remain prostrators; but
at the end of life let them? Concerning wilfulmurderers...
What Things King Agrippa did for Claudius; and How Claudius when...
... CHAPTER 4. What Things King Agrippa Did For Claudius; And How Claudius When He Had
Taken The Government Commanded TheMurderers Of Caius To Be Slain....
After what Manner Upon the Death of Claudius, Nero Succeeded in...
... Things He Did. Concerning The Robbers,Murderers And Impostors, That Arose
While Felix And Festus Were Procurators Of Judea. 1. Now...
Knox in St. Andrews Castle: the Galleys: 1547-1549
... of St. Andrews, then held, with some English aid, against the Regent Arran,
by themurderers of Beaton and their adherents. {22} Knox...
1 Timothy i. 7-May
... Robbers andmurderers may love one another, but this is not "from a good conscience,"
not "from a pure" but from an impure "heart," not from "faith unfeigned...
Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
... But if such consent is to be accounted as a deed, then are theymurderers who have
chosen rather to be put to death than bear false witness, yea, what is worse...
Objections from the Revelation and the First Epistle of St. John...
... this Apocalypse, in its later passages, has assigned "the infamous and fornicators,"
as well as "the cowardly, and unbelieving, andmurderers, and sorcerers...
Successus of Abbir Germaniciana Said: "Heretics May Either do...
... Spirit, then can the41. To this we may answer almost word for word:Murderers
may either do nothing or everything. If they can baptize...
How the Fight Begins.
... Wherefore, in short, the Master Himself, when He was being led to the cross by those
who knew Him not, prayed the Father for Hismurderers, and said, Father...
Thesaurus
Murderers (9 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MURDERERS. mur
... See ASSASSINS. T. Nicol.
Multi-Version Concordance
Murderers (9 Occurrences). Matthew
...Sinners (132 Occurrences)
... law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for
the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, formurderers of fathers...
Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for
the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, formurderers of fathers...
Unholy (23 Occurrences)
... law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for
the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, formurderers of fathers...
Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, andmurderers,
and lewd men, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have...
Lawless (16 Occurrences)
... law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for
the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, formurderers of fathers...
Insubordinate (3 Occurrences)
... law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for
the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, formurderers of fathers...
Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable,murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Idolaters (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable,murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the...
Fornicators (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But as for cowards and the unfaithful, and the polluted, andmurderers,
fornicators, and those who practise magic or worship idols, and all...
Resources
Is God dead? | GotQuestions.orgSince God withholds forgiveness, can we? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Amaziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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