The term "murderous" refers to the intent or act of unlawfully killing another human being with premeditation or malice. In the biblical context, murder is a grave sin that is explicitly condemned throughout Scripture. The Bible provides numerous references to the act of murder, its consequences, and the heart condition that leads to such actions.

Old Testament References

The prohibition against murder is first introduced in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "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). The act of murder is seen as a direct violation of God's law and an affront to His creation.

The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. Genesis 4:8 recounts, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him." This act of fratricide is depicted as stemming from jealousy and anger, emotions that God warns Cain about prior to the murder (Genesis 4:6-7).

The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the consequences of murder, prescribing capital punishment for those who commit such acts (Exodus 21:12-14). The law distinguishes between premeditated murder and accidental killing, with cities of refuge established for those who commit manslaughter (Numbers 35:9-34).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder by addressing the underlying attitudes of the heart. 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, highlighting the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.

The apostle John also addresses the issue of hatred, equating it with murder: "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 teaching reinforces the idea that the spirit of murder begins in the heart and is incompatible with the love of God.

Spiritual Implications

Murder is not only a physical act but also a spiritual condition that reflects a heart turned away from God. The Bible consistently portrays murder as a manifestation of sin and rebellion against God's commandments. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists "acts of the flesh," including murder, as behaviors that prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God.

The Bible also offers hope for redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. While murder is a serious sin, the grace of God is available to all who repent and turn to Him. The account of the apostle Paul, who once persecuted Christians and consented to their deaths, serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's forgiveness and mercy (Acts 9:1-22).

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on murder is clear: it is a sin that originates in the heart and is condemned by God. The Scriptures call believers to examine their hearts, reject hatred, and embrace the love and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.(a.) Of or pertaining to murder; characterized by, or causing, murder or bloodshed; having the purpose or quality of murder; bloody; sanguinary; as, the murderous king; murderous rapine; murderous intent; a murderous assault.1749. enedron -- lying in wait.
... lying in wait. Neuter of the same as enedra; an ambush, ie (figuratively) murderous
design -- lying in wait. see GREEK enedra. 1748, 1749. enedron. 1750 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1749.htm - 6k

1747. enedra -- a lying in wait, an ambush
... ambush. Feminine from en and the base of hedraios; an ambuscade, ie (figuratively)
murderous purpose -- lay wait. See also enedron. see GREEK en. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1747.htm - 6k

The Murderous Rejection.
... The Tragic Break in the Plan The Murderous Rejection. This crisis leads at
once into the final stage, the murderous rejection. Jesus ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the murderous rejection.htm

A Plot Detected
... 'The corruption of the best is the worst.' There is a close and strange alliance
between formal religion and murderous hatred and vulpine craft, as the history ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a plot detected.htm

John xii. 8
... Seest thou how murderous is their will? ... They set their hand therefore to kill him,
and thought they were not [1864] daring anything, so murderous were they. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxvi john xii 8.htm

Hymn for the Epiphany
... With daggers drawn the infuriate crew Upon their murderous errand flew: Each latest
offspring of the womb To bloody death they foully doom. Ah tiny limbs! ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymn for the epiphany.htm

Set at Liberty.
... cunning device of Herodias. In any case, nothing could have been arranged
more exactly to suit her murderous schemes. The days that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xiv set at liberty.htm

A Soul's Tragedy
... them. But if they are retained, they show how the moody suspicion with
which Saul 'eyed David' came to a swift, murderous climax. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a souls tragedy.htm

"Woe unto You, Because Ye Build the Tombs of the Prophets, and ...
... ye spare them." But these things He saith, showing that it was nothing strange,
that He should be murdered by those sons, being both murderous and deceitful ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiv woe unto you.htm

What Crouches at the Door
... He is mated to it now, and it has a kind of tigerish, murderous desire after
him, while he on his part is to subdue and control it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/what crouches at the door.htm

Teaching in the Temple on the Octave of the Feast of Tabernacles.
... [4064]. Such words would only ripen in the hearts of such men the murderous resolve
against Jesus. Yet, not till His, not their, hour had come! ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii teaching in the.htm

The Same Night which Saw the Red Glare of the Burning Monastery ...
... I think he knows who dealt the murderous blow at his daughter, but he says nothing
positive. ... "Will you admit Varillo's murderous treachery?". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxvi the same night which.htm

Murderous (2 Occurrences)
... to murder; characterized by, or causing, murder or bloodshed; having the purpose
or quality of murder; bloody; sanguinary; as, the murderous king; murderous...
/m/murderous.htm - 7k

Assassinate (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To assail with murderous intent; hence, by extended meaning, to maltreat
exceedingly. 3. (n.) An assassination, murder, or murderous assault. ...
/a/assassinate.htm - 7k

Murders (7 Occurrences)

/m/murders.htm - 8k

Onslaught (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An attack; an onset; a furious or murderous assault.
2. (n.) A bloody fray or battle. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/onslaught.htm - 7k

Gedaliah (31 Occurrences)
... Baalis found a ready instrument for his murderous design in Ishmael who, as one
of royal birth and in the counsels of the king (Jeremiah 41:1), was doubtless ...
/g/gedaliah.htm - 26k

Flesh (468 Occurrences)
... or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as
to draw blood, especially for the first time. 12. (vt) To ...
/f/flesh.htm - 69k

Death (1610 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) Danger of death. 7. (vi) Murder; murderous character. 8. (vi) Loss of spiritual
life. 9. (vi) Anything so dreadful as to be like death. Int. ...
/d/death.htm - 68k

Murdering (5 Occurrences)

/m/murdering.htm - 8k

Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Eager to shed blood; cruel; sanguinary;
murderous. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BLOODTHIRSTY. ...
/b/bloodthirsty.htm - 8k

Bloody (19 Occurrences)
... bloody handkerchief. 3. (a.) Given, or tending, to the shedding of blood;
having a cruel, savage disposition; murderous; cruel. 4. (a ...
/b/bloody.htm - 17k

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