Topics Research

Question

What does the Bible say about the sixth commandment? What does "kill" (ratsach, H7523) mean — and how does it differ from harag (H2026), muth (H4191), and nakah (H5221)? Trace ratsach through Numbers 35 (cities of refuge — used for both intentional and accidental killing). How does Genesis 9:6 provide the pre-Sinai, universal foundation? How does Jesus deepen this to anger and contempt (Mat 5:21-22)? What does "whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15) reveal? Trace through Paul (Rom 13:9), and Revelation (21:8; 22:15).

Topics

HOMICIDE

Accidental: EXO 21:13,28-32; NUM 35:11-15,22-28,32; DEU 4:41-43; 19:2-10; JOS 20:1-9

Felonious (Murder): GEN 4:9-12; 9:5,6; 49:7; EXO 20:13; 21:29-32; NUM 35:16-22,30,31; DEU 5:17; 17:6; 21:1-9; 22:8; 27:24,25; 1KI 21:19; 2CH 24:22; JOB 24:1-25; PSA 5:6; 9:12; 10:2; 26:9,10; 37:32; 38:12; 55:23; 94:3; PRO 1:11,12,15,16; 6:16,17; 12:6; 28:17; ISA 26:21; 59:3,7; JER 2:34; 7:9,10; 19:4; 22:3; EZK 22:9; 35:6; HOS 1:4; 4:1-3; HAB 2:10,12; MAT 5:21,22; 15:19; 19:18; MRK 7:21; 10:19; LUK 18:20; ROM 13:9; GAL 5:19-21; 1TI 1:9; JAS 2:11; 1PE 4:15; 1JN 3:12,15; REV 9:21; 21:8; 22:15

David's Repentance for Murder of Uriah: PSA 51:1-17

Punishment of Murder: GEN 4:13-15; 9:5,6; 27:43-45; EXO 21:12,14; LEV 24:17; NUM 35:16-21,30-33; DEU 19:11-13; 2SA 12:9-12

Instances of Felonious Murder: Cain (GEN 4:8), Lamech (GEN 4:23,24), Simeon and Levi (GEN 34:25-31), Pharaoh (EXO 1:16,22), Moses (EXO 2:12), and many more through OT and NT

HATRED

Against iniquity (justified): PSA 97:10; 101:3; 119:104,128,163; 139:21,22

Of God: PSA 5:5; 45:7; MAL 2:16

Scriptures Relating To: LEV 19:17; PSA 25:19; 35:19; PRO 10:12,18; 15:17; 26:24-26; MAT 5:43,44; 6:15; 10:22; JHN 15:18,19,23-25; 17:14; GAL 5:19,20; EPH 4:31; COL 3:8; 1JN 2:9,11; 3:10,13-15; 4:20

Cross-references: ENVY, JEALOUSY, MALICE, REVENGE

ANGER

General scriptures: GEN 4:6; 49:7; PRO 14:17,29; 15:1,18; 22:24,25; 29:22; ECC 7:9; MAT 5:22; EPH 4:26,31; COL 3:8; JAS 1:19,20

Key instances connecting to murder: - Cain slaying Abel (GEN 4:5-8) — anger led to first murder - Simeon and Levi (GEN 49:5-7) — anger cursed by Jacob

PUNISHMENT (Capital — Death Penalty)

For murder: GEN 9:5,6; NUM 35:16-21,30-33; DEU 17:6 - Will not be commuted: NUM 35:31 - Not inflicted by testimony of less than two witnesses: NUM 35:30; DEU 17:6; 19:15 - Modes: Burning, Stoning, Hanging, Beheading, Crucifixion, Sword

REFUGE (Cities of)

From the avenger of blood: EXO 21:13,14; NUM 35:11-32; DEU 4:41-43; 19:2-13; JOS 20:1-6 - List of cities: JOS 20:7-9 - Roads made to them: DEU 19:3 - Figurative of Christ: HEB 6:18

BLOOD

Is the life: GEN 9:4; LEV 17:11,14; 19:16; DEU 12:23; MAT 27:4,24 Figurative: - Of guilt: LEV 20:9; 2SA 1:16; EZK 18:13 - Of oppression/cruelty: HAB 2:12 - Of destruction: EZK 35:6 - Of judgments: EZK 16:38; REV 16:6

MALICE

General scriptures: GEN 3:15; LEV 19:14,17,18; MAT 5:38-41; JHN 8:44; ROM 1:29-32; 1JN 2:9,11; 3:10,13-15; 4:20 - Instance: Cain toward Abel (GEN 4:8) - Cross-references: CONSPIRACY, HATRED, HOMICIDE, JEALOUSY, REVENGE

RETALIATION

General scriptures: EXO 21:23-25; LEV 19:18; 24:17-22; DEU 19:19-21; PSA 10:2; PRO 20:22; MAT 5:38-44; ROM 12:17,19; 1PE 3:9

STRIFE

General scriptures: GEN 13:8; PRO 6:12-14,16-19; 10:12; 15:18; 17:14,19; GAL 5:19-21; JAS 4:1,2

ASSASSINATION

Laws prohibiting: DEU 27:24 - David's abhorrence of: 2SA 4:9-12 - Instances: Ehud/Eglon, Joab/Abner, Absalom/Amnon, etc.

MASSACRE

Authorized by Moses: DEU 20:13,16 (military context)

COMMANDMENTS (Ten)

General scriptures: EXO 13:8-10; 20:3-17; DEU 4:5,9,10; 5:6-21 - Cross-references to HOMICIDE - Precepts of Jesus include Mat 5:22 (the first antithesis on murder)

Related Topics Discovered

The Nave's entries reveal a network of interconnected topics around the 6th commandment: - HOMICIDE is the central topic, distinguishing accidental from felonious killing - HATRED, ANGER, and MALICE connect to the heart-level dimension (Jesus' teaching in Mat 5:21-22; John's in 1 Jn 3:15) - REFUGE (Cities of) provides the legal framework for protecting the unintentional killer - BLOOD connects to the theological basis (Gen 9:4-6 — blood is life; shedding it requires accountability) - PUNISHMENT establishes the penalty structure - RETALIATION and STRIFE connect to the broader social implications