What does the Bible say about punishment?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God, who is holy and just, appoints punishment to restrain evil, uphold the value of human life, and display the seriousness of sin. Genesis 9:5-6 grounds justice for murder in humanity's creation in God's image. Numbers 35:16-21, 30-33 requires that intentional murder be judged, forbids ransom for the murderer, and insists on reliable witnesses, while Deuteronomy 17:6 likewise guards against conviction on unsupported testimony. Leviticus 20:10-12 and Deuteronomy 22:24 show the severe penalties assigned under Israel's covenant law for grievous sexual sins. These laws reveal God's righteous standard, yet Christians also confess that final judgment belongs to God and that Christ bore the punishment of sin for all who trust Him.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- DEATH PENALTY
- Will not be commuted Numbers 35:31
- In the Mosaic law the death penalty was inflicted
- For murder Genesis 9:5; Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:16-21; Numbers 35:30-33; Deuteronomy 17:6
- For adultery Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:24
- For incest Leviticus 20:11; Leviticus 20:12; Leviticus 20:14
- For bestiality Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15; Leviticus 20:16
- For sodomy Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13
- For sexual immorality Deuteronomy 22:21-24
- For the rape of a betrothed (engaged) virgin Deuteronomy 22:25
- For perjury Zechariah 5:4
- For kidnapping Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7
- For the promiscuousness of a priest’ s daughter Leviticus 21:9
- For witchcraft Exodus 22:18
- For offering human sacrifice Leviticus 20:2-5
- For striking or cursing one’ s father or mother Exodus 21:15; Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9
- For disobedience to parents Deuteronomy 21:18-21
- For stealing Zechariah 5:3; Zechariah 5:4
- For blasphemy Leviticus 24:11-14; Leviticus 24:16; Leviticus 24:23
- For desecrating the Sabbath day Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36
- For prophesying falsely, or propagating false doctrines Deuteronomy 13:1-10
- For sacrificing to false gods Exodus 22:20
- For refusing to abide by the decision of the court Deuteronomy 17:12
- For treason 1 Kings 2:25; Esther 2:23
- For sedition Acts 5:36; Acts 5:37
- MODES OF EXECUTION OF DEATH PENALTY
- Burning Genesis 38:24; Leviticus 20:14; Leviticus 21:9; Jeremiah 29:22; Ezekiel 23:25; Daniel 3:19-23
- Stoning Leviticus 20:2; Leviticus 20:27; Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 14:10; Numbers 15:33-36; Deuteronomy 13:10; Deuteronomy 17:5; Deuteronomy 22:21; Deuteronomy 22:24; Joshua 7:25; 1 Kings 21:10; Ezekiel 16:40
- Hanging Genesis 40:22; Deuteronomy 21:22; Deuteronomy 21:23; Joshua 8:29
- Beheading Matthew 14:10; Mark 6:16; Mark 6:27; Mark 6:28
- Crucifixion Matthew 27:35; Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:24; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33
- The sword Exodus 32:27; Exodus 32:28; 1 Kings 2:25; 1 Kings 2:34; 1 Kings 2:46; Acts 12:2
- Executed by the accusing witnesses Deuteronomy 13:9; Deuteronomy 17:7; Acts 7:58
- Executed by the entire congregation Numbers 15:35; Numbers 15:36; Deuteronomy 13:9
- Not inflicted by the testimony of less than two witnesses Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15
- MINOR OFFENSES
- Punishable by
- Scourging Leviticus 19:20; Deuteronomy 22:18; Deuteronomy 25:2; Deuteronomy 25:3; Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 20:30; Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:16; John 19:1; Acts 22:24
- Imprisonment Genesis 39:20; Genesis 40
- See PRISON
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