In biblical times, the act of kidnapping was considered a grievous sin and a violation of God's commandments. The Bible addresses the issue of kidnapping explicitly, underscoring its severity and the moral and legal implications associated with it.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides clear directives regarding the act of kidnapping. In the Mosaic Law, kidnapping is explicitly condemned and is considered a capital offense. Exodus 21:16 states, "Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession." This verse highlights the gravity of the crime, equating it with murder in terms of its punishment. The law reflects the sanctity of human life and the importance of personal freedom, both of which are violated by the act of kidnapping.

Deuteronomy 24:7 further reinforces this stance: "If a man is caught kidnapping any of his brothers among the Israelites and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. You must purge the evil from among you." This passage emphasizes the communal responsibility to eradicate such evil from society, ensuring justice and protection for all individuals.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not directly address kidnapping in the same explicit terms as the Old Testament, the principles of love, respect, and the inherent value of each person are foundational to its teachings. The New Testament upholds the dignity of every individual, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31) and the recognition of all people as made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) implicitly condemn any act that would dehumanize or exploit another person, such as kidnapping.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a biblical perspective, kidnapping is not merely a crime against an individual but a sin against God, who created each person with inherent worth and dignity. The act of forcibly taking someone against their will is a violation of the divine order and an affront to the community's moral fabric. The biblical injunctions against kidnapping serve as a reminder of the importance of justice, the protection of the vulnerable, and the upholding of human dignity.

Kidnapping in Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kidnapping was often associated with slavery and human trafficking. The biblical laws against kidnapping were countercultural, emphasizing the value of freedom and the protection of individuals from exploitation. These laws served to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations and to establish a society based on justice and righteousness.

Conclusion

The biblical condemnation of kidnapping reflects the broader biblical themes of justice, freedom, and the sanctity of human life. The severe penalties prescribed for kidnappers underscore the seriousness with which this crime was viewed in biblical law and its incompatibility with a society that seeks to honor God and uphold His commandments.(n.) One who steals or forcibly carries away a human being; a manstealer.405. andrapodistes -- a slave dealer
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: andrapodistes Phonetic Spelling:
(an-drap-od-is-tace') Short Definition: an enslaver, a kidnapper Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/405.htm - 6k

Letter v. To Florentius.
... 3. As regards the present master of your slave"of whom you have done me the
honor to write"I have no doubt but that he is his kidnapper. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter v to florentius.htm

God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Rational Marcion's God ...
... stripes? Such a deliverer, [2610] I had almost said [2611] kidnapper,
[2612] would even meet with condemnation in the world. Now ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiii gods attribute of goodness.htm

1 John iv. 12-Apr
... As I said, the kidnapper, in order that he may sell, inveigles the child with bitter
endearments; a father, that he may correct, does without gall chastise. ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily vii 1 john iv.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Kidnapper (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who steals or forcibly carries away a human being;
a manstealer. Multi-Version Concordance Kidnapper (1 Occurrence). ...
/k/kidnapper.htm - 6k

Kidnappers (1 Occurrence)

/k/kidnappers.htm - 6k

Kidnapped (1 Occurrence)

/k/kidnapped.htm - 6k

Thief (41 Occurrences)
... 17 times) of gannabh, from ganabh, "steal," but gannabh is rather broader than the
English "thief," and may even include a kidnapper (Deuteronomy 24:7). In ...
/t/thief.htm - 22k

What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org

Kidnapper: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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