What does the Bible say about homicide?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that unlawful killing is a grave sin against God, who made human beings in his image, while also distinguishing deliberate murder from accidental killing and assigning civil authority a role in justice. Genesis 9:6 grounds the seriousness of murder in the divine image. Exodus 21:13-14 and Numbers 35:16-21 distinguish unintentional death from premeditated violence, providing refuge for the former and judgment for the latter. Numbers 35:25 shows both justice and mercy in the provision for the manslayer. Exodus 22:2 recognizes limited self-defense, while Israel's wars and penalties occurred under particular divine and civil judgments. Christians are called to honor life, reject hatred, and trust God as the righteous Judge.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- ACCIDENTAL Exodus 21:13; Exodus 21:28-32; Numbers 35:11-15; Numbers 35:22-28; Numbers 35:32; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; Deuteronomy 19:2-10; Joshua 20:1-9
- FELONIOUS, OR MURDER Genesis 4:9-12; Genesis 9:5; Genesis 9:6; Genesis 49:7; Exodus 20:13; Exodus 21:29-32; Numbers 35:16-22; Numbers 35:30; Numbers 35:31; Deuteronomy 5:17; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 21:1-9
- See CONSPIRACY
- See FRATRICIDE
- See PARRICIDE
- See PATRICIDE
- See REGICIDE
- See SUICIDE
- DAVID’S REPENTANCE FOR, AND CONFESSION OF, THE MURDER OF URIAH Psalms 51:1-17
- INSTANCES OF FELONIOUS
- By Cain Genesis 4:8
- Lamech Genesis 4:23; Genesis 4:24
- Simeon and Levi Genesis 34:25-31
- Pharaoh Exodus 1:16; Exodus 1:22
- Moses Exodus 2:12
- Ehud Judges 3:16-23
- Jael Judges 4:21
- Abimelech Judges 9:5; Judges 9:18; Judges 9:56
- An Amalekite 2 Samuel 1:16
- Abner 2 Samuel 2:18-24
- Joab 2 Samuel 3:24-27; 2 Samuel 20:9; 2 Samuel 20:10; 1 Kings 2:5
- Solomon 1 Kings 2:23-46
- Rechab and Baanah 2 Samuel 4:5-8
- David 2 Samuel 11:14-17; 2 Samuel 12:9; Psalms 51:14
- Of Amon 2 Kings 21:23
- Absalom 2 Samuel 13:22-29
- Baasha 1 Kings 15:27-29
- Zimri 1 Kings 16:9-11
- Ahab and Jezebel 1 Kings 21:10-24; 2 Kings 6:32
- Hazael 2 Kings 8:15
- Jehu 2 Kings 9:24-37; 2 Kings 10:1-25
- Athaliah 2 Kings 11:1
- Of Joash by his servants 2 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 12:21
- Menahem 2 Kings 15:16
- Of Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:37; Isaiah 37:38
- Manasseh 2 Kings 21:16; 2 Kings 24:4
- Jehoram 2 Chronicles 21:4
- Joash 2 Chronicles 24:21
- Amaziah’s soldiers 2 Chronicles 25:12
- Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 39:6
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Distinguished from murder Exodus 21:13; Exodus 21:14; Numbers 35:16-21; Numbers 35:25
- Justifiable, described as
- Killing persons condemned by law Genesis 9:6; Exodus 35:2; Leviticus 24:16
- Killing a thief in the night Exodus 22:2
- Killing enemies in battle Numbers 31:7; Numbers 31:8
- Killing a manslayer by next of kin Numbers 35:27
- Unjustifiable, described as
- Killing without enmity Numbers 35:22
- Killing without lying in wait Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:22
- Killing by accident Numbers 35:23; Deuteronomy 19:5
- The avenger of blood might slay those guilty of unjustifiable Numbers 35:19; Numbers 35:27
- Protection afforded in the cities of refuge to those guilty of unjustified Numbers 35:11; Numbers 35:15
- Confinement in the city of refuge the punishment for unjustifiable Numbers 35:25; Numbers 35:28
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