Infanticide, the act of intentionally causing the death of an infant, is a grievous sin that stands in stark contrast to the biblical view of the sanctity of life. The Bible, while not explicitly using the term "infanticide," addresses the value of human life and the protection of the innocent, which implicitly condemns such acts.

Biblical Context and Historical Instances

The Bible records instances where infanticide was practiced by pagan nations, often in the context of idolatrous worship. One of the most notorious examples is the sacrifice of children to the Canaanite god Molech. Leviticus 18:21 warns the Israelites, "You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This command underscores the abomination of child sacrifice and the desecration it brings to God's holy name.

In 2 Kings 17:17 , the Israelites are condemned for adopting such practices: "They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger." This passage highlights the severity of infanticide as a sin that provokes divine wrath.

The Sanctity of Life

The Bible consistently affirms the sanctity of human life, beginning with the creation narrative. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This foundational truth establishes the inherent value and dignity of every human being, including infants.

The protection of the innocent is a recurring theme in Scripture. Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." This verse reflects the view that children are a blessing from God, deserving of care and protection.

Condemnation of Murder

The commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) is a clear prohibition against taking innocent life. Infanticide, as a form of murder, is thus unequivocally condemned. The Bible emphasizes that God is the author of life, and only He has the authority to give and take it.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues to uphold the value of life and the protection of the vulnerable. Jesus' ministry often highlighted the importance of children. In Matthew 19:14 , Jesus says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." This statement underscores the special place children hold in God's kingdom and the care they should receive.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not directly address the modern term "infanticide," its teachings on the sanctity of life, the protection of the innocent, and the condemnation of murder provide a clear framework for understanding the biblical stance on this issue. Infanticide is a grave sin that violates the divine image in which every human being is created and stands in opposition to the biblical call to protect and cherish life.Psalm 127:3-5
See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
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Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
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Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
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Matthew 5:21
You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
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Exodus 23:7
Keep you far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay you not: for I will not justify the wicked.
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Proverbs 6:16-17
These six things does the LORD hate: yes, seven are an abomination to him:
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Genesis 1:26-27
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
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Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
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Psalm 139:13-16
For you have possessed my reins: you have covered me in my mother's womb.
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Acts 7:19
The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
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Matthew 2:16-18
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
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Exodus 1:16
And he said, When you do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the stools; if it be a son, then you shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.
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Exodus 21:1-36
Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.
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1. (n.) The murder of an infant born alive; the murder or killing of a newly born or young child; child murder.

2. (n.) One who commits the crime of infanticide; one who kills an infant.

INFANTICIDE

in-fan'-ti-sid.

See CRIMES.

The Charge of Infanticide Retorted on the Heathen.
... Book I. Chapter XV. "The Charge of Infanticide Retorted on the Heathen.
Since we are on a par in respect of the gods, it follows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xv name charge of.htm

The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... INFANTICIDE. "This will account in part for the barbarous custom of infanticide
which prevails to so lamentable an extent among these heathen. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/iii the city of the.htm

What Carey did for Literature and for Humanity
... Hindoo revival of the eighteenth century fostered by the East India Company"Carey's
three memorials to Government on female infanticide, voluntary drowning ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xi what carey did.htm

Ad Nationes
... The Vile Calumny About Onocoetes Retorted on the Heathen by Tertullian. Chapter
XV. --The Charge of Infanticide Retorted on the Heathen. Chapter XVI. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/

Justice and the Reason of Effects
... there is no such law. Theft, incest, infanticide, parricide, have all had a
place among virtuous actions. Can anything be more ridiculous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section v justice and the.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... were traduced for incest, and killing their children, as Tertullian says, Dicimur
infanaticidii incestus rei [They charge us with infanticide and label us ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

His Perfect Holiness.
... It is well known that the wisest men of Greece and Rome sanctioned slavery, oppression,
revenge, infanticide or exposure of infants, polygamy or concubinage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his perfect holiness.htm

The Power of Christianity.
... The wisest men of Greece and Rome sanctioned slavery, polygamy, concubinage, oppression,
revenge, infanticide; or they belied their purer maxims by their ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

Tertullian Refutes, Physiologically, the Notion that the Soul is ...
... the shape of) a copper needle or spike, by which the actual death is managed in
this furtive robbery of life: they give it, from its infanticide function, the ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxv tertullian refutes physiologically the.htm

The Destruction of Babylon.
... Incest, if not detected, was to cost five groats; and six, if it was known. There
was a stated price for murder, infanticide, adultery, perjury, burglary, &c. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the destruction of babylon.htm

Infanticide
... 2. (n.) One who commits the crime of infanticide; one who kills an infant. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INFANTICIDE. in-fan'-ti-sid. ...
/i/infanticide.htm - 6k

Infant (14 Occurrences)

/i/infant.htm - 12k

Infantry (3 Occurrences)

/i/infantry.htm - 7k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... death. Infanticide by exposure, such as was common among other ancient peoples,
seems never to have been practiced by the Hebrews. ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... himself or any of his ancestors or any of his immediate descendants.
Infanticide. This crime, in the form in which it has been and ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... himself or any of his ancestors or any of his immediate descendants.
Infanticide. This crime, in the form in which it has been and ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Subapostolic
... Among notable precepts is a command to fast as well as pray for enemies; a warning
against infanticide which, in the case of sickly infants, heathenism approved ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Sub-apostolic
... Among notable precepts is a command to fast as well as pray for enemies; a warning
against infanticide which, in the case of sickly infants, heathenism approved ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... death. Infanticide by exposure, such as was common among other ancient peoples,
seems never to have been practiced by the Hebrews. ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

How can I learn to distinguish right from wrong? | GotQuestions.org

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What is Gehenna? | GotQuestions.org

Infanticide: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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