Homicide, the act of unlawfully killing another human being, is a grave sin in the biblical context, reflecting the sanctity of human life as created in the image of God. The Bible addresses homicide in various forms, from premeditated murder to accidental killing, and provides guidance on the moral and legal implications of such acts.

Old Testament Context

The prohibition against homicide is rooted in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the value God places on human life and serves as a foundational principle for the legal and moral codes in the Old Testament.

In Genesis 9:6, God establishes the principle of retributive justice: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind." This verse highlights the divine image in humanity and the seriousness of taking a life, warranting capital punishment for murderers as a means of upholding justice.

The Mosaic Law further distinguishes between intentional and unintentional killing. Numbers 35:16-21 outlines the consequences for premeditated murder, while Numbers 35:22-25 provides for cities of refuge where those who commit manslaughter can seek asylum until a fair trial is conducted. This distinction emphasizes the importance of intent and the need for justice tempered with mercy.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder by 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). Here, Jesus emphasizes that harboring anger and hatred is akin to murder in God's eyes, pointing to the internal transformation required of His followers.

The apostle John reiterates this teaching, 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 heart's condition and the call to love one another as evidence of true discipleship.

Theological Implications

Homicide is not only a violation of God's law but also an affront to the Creator, who imbues each person with inherent worth and dignity. The biblical narrative consistently affirms the sanctity of life, from the creation account in Genesis to the redemptive work of Christ, who came to give life abundantly (John 10:10).

The Bible also offers hope for redemption and forgiveness for those who have committed homicide. The apostle Paul, once a persecutor and accomplice in murder, experienced God's grace and became a pivotal figure in the early Church. His transformation illustrates the power of repentance and the possibility of a new life in Christ.

Legal and Moral Considerations

The biblical approach to homicide encompasses both legal and moral dimensions. The Old Testament law provided a framework for justice, ensuring that the punishment fit the crime while allowing for mercy in cases of accidental death. The New Testament calls believers to a higher standard, focusing on the heart's intentions and the call to love and forgive.

In contemporary society, the biblical principles regarding homicide continue to inform Christian ethics and legal systems, emphasizing the need for justice, the protection of life, and the transformative power of God's grace.1. (n.) The killing of one human being by another.

2. (n.) One who kills another; a manslayer.

HOMICIDE

hom'-i-sid (rotseach): Hebrew has no word for killing or murder; rotseach is the word for manslayer. The Greek for murder is phonos. Homicide was every conscious violent action against a human being with the immediate result of death. It was always to be punished by death, being considered a crime against the image of God. Killing is definitely forbidden in the sixth commandment (Genesis 9:5 Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:12 Leviticus 24:17, 21 Numbers 35:16-21 Deuteronomy 19:11-13). The penalty of death was not inflicted when the killing was unintentional or unpremeditated (Exodus 21:13 Numbers 35:22-25 Joshua 20:3-5; compare Mishna, Makkoth, xi. 5). Cities of Refuge were founded to which the manslayer could escape from the "avenger of blood." There he had to abide till after the death of the officiating high priest. If he left the city before that event, the avenger who should kill him was free from punishment (Exodus 21:13 Numbers 35:10-15, 25-28, 32 Deuteronomy 19:1-13 Joshua 20:2). See CITIES OF REFUGE. Killing a thief who broke in during the night was not accounted murder (Exodus 22:2). Unintentional killing of the pregnant woman in a fray was punished according to the lexicon talionis, i.e. the husband of the woman killed could kill the wife of the man who committed the offense without being punished (Exodus 21:22 f). This was not usually carried out, but it gave the judge a standard by which to fine the offender. If a man failed to build a battlement to his house, and anyone fell over and was killed, blood-guiltiness came upon that man's house (Dr 22:8). He who killed a thief in the daytime was guilty in the same way (Exodus 22:3; compare the King James Version). Where a body was found, but the murderer was unknown, the elders of the city nearest to the place where it was found were ordered by a prescribed ceremony to declare that they were not guilty of neglecting their duties, and were therefore innocent of the man's blood (Dr 21:1-9). Two witnesses were necessary for a conviction of murder (Numbers 35:30). If a slave died under chastisement, the master was to be punished according to the principle that "he that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall surely be put to death" (Exodus 21:20; compare Exodus 21:12). According to the rabbis the master was to be killed by the sword. Since in this passage the phrase "he shall die" is not used, some have supposed that punishment by death is not indicated. If the slave punished by the master died after one or two days, the master was not liable to punishment (Exodus 21:21). Because of the words, "for he is his money," the rabbis held that non-Israelite slaves were meant. In ancient times the avenger of blood was himself to be the executioner of the murderer (Numbers 35:19, 21). According to Sanhedhrin 9:1 the murderer was to be beheaded. Nothing is said in the law about suicide.

Paul Levertoff

5406. phoneus -- a murderer
... Definition: a murderer. Cognate: 5406 -- a murderer, committing unjustified,
intentional homicide. See 5407 (). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5406.htm - 7k

5407. phoneuo -- to kill, murder
... I murder, kill. 5407 (from 5408 , "murder, homicide") -- to murder, commit
intentional (unjustified) homicide. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5407.htm - 7k

5408. phonos -- a murder
... Definition: murder, slaughter, killing. Cognate: 5408 -- murder (intentional,
unjustified homicide). See 5407 (). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5408.htm - 6k

1818. dam -- blood
... blood NASB Word Usage blood (303), bloodguilt (2), bloodguiltiness (12), bloodshed
(27), bloody (7), death (1), guilt of blood (2), homicide or another (1 ...
/hebrew/1818.htm - 6k

What Then, if a Homicide Seek Refuge with a Christian...
... Section 22. What then, if a homicide seek refuge with a Christian? 22.
What then, if a homicide seek refuge with a Christian, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 22 what then if.htm

Whether a Man Should be Debarred from Receiving Orders on Account ...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS TO THIS SACRAMENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether a man should
be debarred from receiving Orders on account of homicide? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man should be.htm

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... first in age among the monks, good presbyter, follower of Christ; is it possible
for you to wish to kill your brother, when even to hate him is to be a homicide ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Kill a Man in Self-Defense?
... Objection 3: Further, the Decretals [*Dist.1] contain several canons prescribing
penalties for unintentional homicide. Now penalty is not due save for guilt. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 10.htm

Letter ccxvii. To Amphilochius, the Canons.
... I know that I have already written to your reverence, so far as I can, on the
distinctions to be observed in cases of involuntary homicide, [2831] and on this ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxvii to amphilochius the.htm

Of Lucretia, who Put an End to Her Life Because of the Outrage ...
... of the dwellers below "who guiltless sent themselves to doom." But this case of
Lucretia is in such a dilemma, that if you extenuate the homicide, you confirm ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of lucretia who put.htm

Of the Senses, and their Pleasures in the Brutes and in Man; and ...
... though justly condemned, should be slain in his sight, pollutes his conscience as
much as if he should become a spectator and a sharer of a homicide which is ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the senses and.htm

That I May Refute More Thoroughly These Charges, I Will Show that ...
... At the same time, there is a vast difference between homicide and parricide.
A more advanced age was sacrificed to Mercury in Gaul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ix that i may.htm

The Tables Turned Upon Marcion, by Contrasts, in Favour of the ...
... Your god willed himself to be put to death; not less a homicide against himself
than in respect of him by whom he meant to be slain. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxviii the tables turned upon.htm

That Shows are Most Powerful to Corrupt the Minds.
... Yet custom finds how a man may commit homicide without war, and without laws;
and this is a pleasure to him, that he has avenged guilt. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lxiii that shows are most.htm

Homicide (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HOMICIDE. ...Homicide was every conscious violent
action against a human being with the immediate result of death. ...
/h/homicide.htm - 10k

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). ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Asylum
... Its objects are (1) to shield a homicide from the avenger of blood until trial,
and (2) to provide a refuge for the manslayer who has not been guilty of murder ...
/a/asylum.htm - 8k

Manslayer (20 Occurrences)
... One who was guilty of accidental homicide, and was entitled to flee to a city of
refuge (Numbers 35:6, 12, 22, 23), his compulsory residence in which ...
/m/manslayer.htm - 15k

Atargatis
... identified tory of the kingdom (2 Samuel 14:14). For the legal and geographical
information, see CITIES OF REFUGE; HOMICIDE. AH Sayce. ...
/a/atargatis.htm - 7k

Homewards (1 Occurrence)

/h/homewards.htm - 6k

Homo

/h/homo.htm - 7k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... Lamech was a polygamist, but he was also a quarrelsome homicide: "I have slain a
man for wounding me, and a young man for bruising me" (Genesis 4:23). ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... Revelation 17:5, 15; Revelation 19:2). See also Fornication. Homicide.
"Manslayer" (ratsach, "to dash in pieces," "to kill," "to ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... He is expressly mentioned in the law of homicide (Numbers 35:15), but
otherwise we have no information as to his legal position. ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Why is "You shall not murder" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

What is an avenger of blood in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Homicide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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