Murder:
Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num 35:16,18,21,31; Lev 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen 9:5,6; Jhn 8:44; 1Jo 3:12,15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Exd 21:12,14; Deu 19:11,13; 2Sa 17:25; 20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Num 35:19-30; Deu 17:6-12). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (Deu 21:1-9). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Exd 21:15-17; Deu 27:16).
Murder:
mur'-der (haragh, "to smite," "destroy," "kill," "slay" (Ps 10:8; Ho 9:13 AV]), ratsach, "to dash to pieces," "kill," especially with premeditation (Nu 35:16 and frequently; 3Job 24:14; Ps 94:6; Jer 7:9; Ho 6:9); phoneus, "criminal homicide," from phoneuo, "to kill," "slay"; phonos, from pheno, has the same meaning; anthropoktonos, "manslayer," "murderer," is used to designate Satan (Joh 8:44) and him that hates his brother (1 Joh 3:15); a matricide is designated as metraloas (1Ti 1:9); compare adelphokionos, "fratricidal" (The Wisdom of Solomon 10:3). The plural of phonos, "murders," occurs in Mt 15:19; Mr 7:21; Ga 5:21 the King James Version; Re 9:21; compare 2 Macc 4:3,18; 12:6):
1. Terms:
2. The Hebrew Law:
The Hebrew law recognized the distinction between willful murder and accidental or justifiable homicide (Nu 25:16); but in legal language no verbal distinction is made. Murder was always subject to capital punishment (Le 24:17; compare Ge 9:6). Even if the criminal sought the protection of the sanctuary, he was to be arrested before the altar, and to be punished (Ex 21:12,14; Le 24:17,21; Nu 35:16,18,21,31). The Mishna says that a mortal blow intended for another than the victim is punishable with death; but such a provision is not found in the Law. No special mention is made of
(a) child murder;
(b) parricide; or
(c) taking life by poison;
but the intention of the law is clear with reference to all these eases (Ex 21:15,17; 1Ti 1:9; Mt 15:4). No punishment is mentioned for attempted suicide (compare 1Sa 31:4 f; 1Ki 16:18; Mt 27:5); yet Josephus says (BJ, III, viii, 5) that suicide was held criminal by the Jews (see also Ex 21:23). An animal known to be vicious must be confined, and if it caused the death of anyone, the animal was destroyed and the owner held guilty of murder (Ex 21:29,31). The executioner, according to the terms of the Law, was the "revenger of blood"; but the guilt must be previously determined by the Levitical tribunal. Strong protection was given by the requirement that at least two witnesses must concur in any capital question (Nu 35:19-30; De 17:6-12; 19:12,17). Under the monarchy the duty of executing justice on a murderer seems to have been assumed to some extent by the sovereign, who also had power to grant pardon (2Sa 13:39; 14:7,11; 1Ki 2:34).
Written by Frank E. Hirsch
See MANSLAYER
Murder: Why Forbidden by God
Murder: The Law Made to Restrain
Murder: Described as Killing
With premeditation
From hatred
By lying in wait
By an instrument of iron
By the blow of a stone
By a hand weapon of wood
Murder: Killing a Thief in the Day, Counted As
Murder: Early Introduction Of
Murder: The Jews Often Guilty Of
Murder: Persons Guilty Of
Fearful and cowardly
Wanderers and vagabonds
Flee from God's presence
Not protected in refuge cities
Had no protection from altars
Not to be pitied or spared
Murder: Imputed to the Nearest City When the Murderer Was
Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected Of
Murder: Punishment For
The curse of God
Death
Gen 9:5,6; Exd 21:12; Num 35:16
Not to be commuted
Inflicted by the nearest of kin
Forbidden
Murder: Hatred Is
Murder: Is a Work for the Flesh
Murder: Comes from the Heart
Murder: Cries for Vengeance
Murder: God
Abominates
Makes inquisition for
Will avenge
Requires blood for
Rejects the prayers of those guilty of
Curses those guilty of
Murder: The Law Made to Restrain
Murder: Saints
Specially warned against
Deprecate the guilt of
Should warn others against
Murder: The Wicked
Filled with
Devise
Intent on
Lie in wait to commit
Swift to commit
Perpetrate
Have hands full of
Encourage others to commit
Murder: Characteristic of the Devil
Murder: Punishment Of
Murder: Punishment Of, Not Commuted under the Law
Murder: Exemplified
Cain
Esau
Joseph's brethren
Pharaoh
Abimelech
Men of Shechem
Amalekite
Rechab
David
Absalom
Joab
Baasha
Zimri
Jezebel
Elders of Jezreel
Ahab
Hazael
Adrammelech, &c
Manasseh
Ishmael
Princes of Israel
People of Gilead
The Herods
Herodias and her daughter
Chief priests
Judas
Barabbas
Jews
1 | Strong's Number: g5408 | Greek: phonos |
Murder:
is used
(a) of a special act, Mar 15:7; Luk 23:19, 25;
(b) in the plural, of "murders" in general, Mat 15:19; Mar 7:21 (Gal 5:21, in some inferior mss.); Rev 9:21; in the singular, Rom 1:29;
(c) in the sense of "slaughter," Hbr 11:37, "they were slain with the sword," lit., "(they died by) slaughter (of the sword);" in Act 9:1, "slaughter."
See SLAUGHTER.
Note: In Mat 19:18, AV, phoneuo, "to kill" (akin to phoneus, see below), is translated "thou shalt do (no) murder" (RV, "thou shalt (not) kill").
See KILL, SLAY.
Murder:
The law of Moses, while it protected the accidental homicide, defined with additional strictness the crime of murder. It prohibited compensation or reprieve of the murderer, or his protection if he took refuge in the refuge city, or even at the altar of Jehovah (Exodus 21:12; 21:14; Leviticus 24:17; 24:21; 1 Kings 2:5-6; 2:28-31). The duty of executing punishment on the murderer is in the law expressly laid on the "revenger of blood;" but the question of guilt was to be previously decided by the Levitical tribunal. In regal times the duty of execution of justice on a murderer seems to have been assumed to some extent by the sovereign, as was also the privilege of pardon (2 Samuel 13:39; 14:7; 14:11; 1 Kings 2:34). It was lawful to kill a burglar taken at night in the act, but unlawful to do so after sunrise (Exodus 22:2-3).
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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