Topics

Murder

Murder is the unlawful taking of human life and is strictly forbidden in Scripture as a violation of God's law and the image of God in humanity. The Bible distinguishes between murder and lawful execution, establishing consequences for those who commit this grave sin.

Overview

Murder represents one of the most serious sins in Scripture, explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments. Unlike accidental killing, murder involves deliberate intent to take another's life. Throughout the Old Testament, murderers were subject to capital punishment, reflecting the severity with which God views the unlawful destruction of human life made in His image.

Key Scriptures

"So Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him" (Genesis 4:8, ESV). "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood" (Proverbs 6:16-17, ESV). "If he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death" (Numbers 35:16, ESV).

Application

Believers must value human life as sacred, recognizing that harboring hatred toward others violates the spirit of God's law against murder and reflects a heart in need of Christ's transforming grace.

Scripture References 40

Judges 9:5 Proverbs 6:16 Proverbs 6:17 2 Samuel 13:29 2 Kings 19:37 1 Kings 21:19 2 Samuel 1:16 1 Kings 15:27 Mark 15:7 Numbers 35:18 Numbers 35:16 Numbers 35:20 Deuteronomy 19:11 Numbers 35:17 Genesis 4:8 John 8:44 Matthew 27:1 Matthew 15:19 2 Kings 3:27 Ezekiel 22:3 Ezekiel 22:4 Genesis 4:10 Genesis 4:11 2 Samuel 12:9 Genesis 9:5 Genesis 9:6 Exodus 21:12 Numbers 35:16 Psalms 51:14 Genesis 27:41 Genesis 37:18 Genesis 4:8 1 Kings 21:13 1 Kings 21:8 1 Kings 21:9 1 Kings 21:10 Proverbs 1:11 Genesis 27:41 Galatians 5:21 Revelation 22:15

Full Topical Reference List 163 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Abimelech

Judges 9:5

Abominates

Proverbs 6:16 Proverbs 6:17

Absalom

Adrammelech, &c

2 Kings 19:37

Ahab

1 Kings 21:19

Amalekite

2 Samuel 1:16

Baasha

1 Kings 15:27

Barabbas

Mark 15:7

By a hand weapon of wood

Numbers 35:18

By an instrument of iron

Numbers 35:16

By lying in wait

Deuteronomy 19:11 Numbers 35:20

By the blow of a stone

Numbers 35:17

Cain

Genesis 4:8

Characteristic of the devil

John 8:44

Chief priests

Matthew 27:1

Comes from the heart

Matthew 15:19

Connected with idolatry

2 Kings 3:27 Ezekiel 22:3 Ezekiel 22:4

Cries for vengeance

Genesis 4:10

Curses those guilty of

Genesis 4:11

David

2 Samuel 12:9

Death

Exodus 21:12 Genesis 9:5 Genesis 9:6 Numbers 35:16

Deprecate the guilt of

Psalms 51:14

Devise

Genesis 27:41 Genesis 37:18

Early introduction of

Genesis 4:8

Elders of Jezreel

1 Kings 21:13

Encourage others to commit

1 Kings 21:8 1 Kings 21:9 1 Kings 21:10 Proverbs 1:11

Esau

Genesis 27:41

Excludes from heaven

Galatians 5:21 Revelation 22:15

Explained by Christ

Matthew 5:21 Matthew 5:22

Fearful and cowardly

Genesis 4:14

Filled with

Romans 1:29

Flee from God's presence

Genesis 4:16

Forbidden

Deuteronomy 5:17 Exodus 20:13 Genesis 9:6 Romans 13:9

Forbidden by Mosaic law

Deuteronomy 5:17 Exodus 20:13

From hatred

Deuteronomy 19:11 Numbers 35:20 Numbers 35:21

Had no protection from altars

Exodus 21:14

Hands

Isaiah 59:3

Hatred is

1 John 3:15

Have hands full of

Isaiah 1:15

Hazael

2 Kings 8:12 2 Kings 8:15

Herodias and her daughter

Matthew 14:8 Matthew 14:9 Matthew 14:10 Matthew 14:11

Imputed to the nearest city when the murderer was unknown

Deuteronomy 21:1 Deuteronomy 21:2 Deuteronomy 21:3

Inflicted by the nearest of kin

Numbers 35:19 Numbers 35:21

Intent on

Is a work for the flesh

Ishmael

Jeremiah 41:7

Jews

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Acts 7:52

Jezebel

1 Kings 21:10

Joab

1 Kings 2:31 1 Kings 2:32

Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:20

Judas

Matthew 27:4

Killing a thief in the day, counted as

Exodus 22:3

Land

Numbers 35:33 Psalms 106:38

Lie in wait to commit

Psalms 10:8 Psalms 10:9 Psalms 10:10

Makes inquisition for

Psalms 9:12

Manasseh

2 Kings 21:16

Men of Shechem

Judges 9:24

Mode of clearing those suspected of

Deuteronomy 21:3 Deuteronomy 21:4 Deuteronomy 21:5 Deuteronomy 21:6 Deuteronomy 21:7 Deuteronomy 21:8 Deuteronomy 21:9 Matthew 27:24

Not concealed from God

Isaiah 26:21 Jeremiah 2:34

Not protected in refuge cities

Deuteronomy 19:11 Deuteronomy 19:12

Not to be commuted

Numbers 35:32

Not to be pitied or spared

Deuteronomy 19:13

Of saints, specially avenged

Deuteronomy 32:43 Matthew 23:35 Revelation 18:20 Revelation 18:24

Often committed by night

Job 24:14 Nehemiah 6:10

People of Gilead

Hosea 6:8

Perpetrate

Ezekiel 22:3 Job 24:14

Person and garments

Lamentations 4:13 Lamentations 4:14

Pharaoh

Exodus 1:22

Princes of Israel

Ezekiel 11:6

Punishment of

2 Kings 9:36 2 Kings 9:37 Genesis 4:12 Genesis 4:13 Genesis 4:14 Genesis 4:15 Genesis 9:6 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 19:5 Jeremiah 19:6 Jeremiah 19:7 Jeremiah 19:8 Jeremiah 19:9 Numbers 35:30

Punishment of, not commuted under the Law

Numbers 35:31

Rechab

2 Samuel 4:5 2 Samuel 4:6 2 Samuel 4:7

Rejects the prayers of those guilty of

Isaiah 1:15 Isaiah 59:2 Isaiah 59:3

Represented as a sin crying to heaven

Genesis 4:10 Hebrews 12:24 Revelation 6:10

Requires blood for

1 Kings 2:32 Genesis 9:5 Numbers 35:33

Should warn others against

Genesis 37:22 Jeremiah 26:15

Specially warned against

1 Peter 4:15

Swift to commit

Proverbs 1:16 Romans 3:15

The curse of God

Genesis 4:11

The Herods

Acts 12:2 Matthew 2:16 Matthew 14:10

The Jews often guilty of

Isaiah 1:21

The law made to restrain

1 Timothy 1:9

To be proved by two witnesses at least

Deuteronomy 19:11 Deuteronomy 19:15 Numbers 35:30

Wanderers and vagabonds

Genesis 4:14

Why forbidden by God

Genesis 9:6

Will avenge

1 Kings 21:19 Deuteronomy 32:43 Hosea 1:4

With premeditation

Exodus 21:14

Zimri

1 Kings 16:10

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