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; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Ex. 21:12, 14; Deut. 19:11, 13; 2 Sam. 17:25; 20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Num. 35:19-30; Deut. 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 (Deut. 21:1-9). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Ex. 21:15-17; Deut. 27:16).

1. Terms:

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):

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).

See MANSLAYER.

Frank E. Hirsch

• → See HOMICIDE

• Forbidden by Mosaic law Ex 20:13; De 5:17
• Why forbidden by God Ge 9:6
• The law made to restrain 1Ti 1:9
• DESCRIBED AS KILLING
  • With premeditation Ex 21:14
  • From hatred Nu 35:20,21; De 19:11
  • By lying in wait Nu 35:20; De 19:11
  • By an instrument of iron Nu 35:16
  • By the blow of a stone Nu 35:17
  • By a hand weapon of wood Nu 35:18
• Killing a thief in the day, counted as Ex 22:3
• Early introduction of Ge 4:8
• Represented as a sin crying to heaven Ge 4:10; Heb 12:24; Re 6:10
• The Jews often guilty of Isa 1:21
• PERSONS GUILTY OF
  • Fearful and cowardly Ge 4:14
  • Wanderers and vagabonds Ge 4:14
  • Flee from God's presence Ge 4:16
  • Not protected in refuge cities De 19:11,12
  • Had no protection from altars Ex 21:14
  • Not to be pitied or spared De 19:13
• Often committed by night Ne 6:10; Job 24:14
• Imputed to the nearest city when the murderer was unknown De 21:1-3
• Mode of clearing those suspected of De 21:3-9; Mt 27:24
• To be proved by two witnesses at least Nu 35:30; De 19:11,15
• PUNISHMENT FOR
  • The curse of God Ge 4:11
  • Death Ge 9:5,6; Ex 21:12; Nu 35:16
  • Not to be commuted Nu 35:32
  • Inflicted by the nearest of kin Nu 35:19,21
  • Forbidden Ge 9:6; Ex 20:13; De 5:17; Ro 13:9
• Explained by Christ Mt 5:21,22
• Hatred is 1Jo 3:15
• Is a work for the flesh Ga 5:21
• Comes from the heart Mt 15:19
• DEFILES THE
  • Hands Isa 59:3
  • Person and garments La 4:13,14
  • Land Nu 35:33; Ps 106:38
• Not concealed from God Isa 26:21; Jer 2:34
• Cries for vengeance Ge 4:10
• GOD
  • Abominates Pr 6:16,17
  • Makes inquisition for Ps 9:12
  • Will avenge De 32:43; 1Ki 21:19; Ho 1:4
  • Requires blood for Ge 9:5; Nu 35:33; 1Ki 2:32
  • Rejects the prayers of those guilty of Isa 1:15; 59:2,3
  • Curses those guilty of Ge 4:11
• The law made to restrain 1Ti 1:9
• SAINTS
  • Specially warned against 1Pe 4:15
  • Deprecate the guilt of Ps 51:14
  • Should warn others against Ge 37:22; Jer 26:15
• Connected with idolatry Eze 22:3,4; 2Ki 3:27
• THE WICKED
  • Filled with Ro 1:29
  • Devise Ge 27:41; 37:18
  • Intent on Jer 22:17
  • Lie in wait to commit Ps 10:8-10
  • Swift to commit Pr 1:16; Ro 3:15
  • Perpetrate Job 24:14; Eze 22:3
  • Have hands full of Isa 1:15
  • Encourage others to commit 1Ki 21:8-10; Pr 1:11
• Characteristic of the devil Joh 8:44
• Punishment of Ge 4:12-15; 9:6; Nu 35:30; 2Ki 9:36,37; Jer 19:4-9
• Punishment of, not commuted under the Law Nu 35:31
• Of saints, specially avenged De 32:43; Mt 23:35; Re 18:20,24
• Excludes from heaven Ga 5:21; Re 22:15
• Exemplified
  • Cain Ge 4:8
  • Esau Ge 27:41
  • Joseph's brethren Ge 37:20
  • Pharaoh Ex 1:22
  • Abimelech Jud 9:5
  • Men of Shechem Jud 9:24
  • Amalekite 2Sa 1:16
  • Rechab 2Sa 4:5-7
  • David 2Sa 12:9
  • Absalom 2Sa 13:29
  • Joab 1Ki 2:31,32
  • Baasha 1Ki 15:27
  • Zimri 1Ki 16:10
  • Jezebel 1Ki 21:10
  • Elders of Jezreel 1Ki 21:13
  • Ahab 1Ki 21:19
  • Hazael 2Ki 8:12,15
  • Adrammelech, &c 2Ki 19:37
  • Manasseh 2Ki 21:16
  • Ishmael Jer 41:7
  • Princes of Israel Eze 11:6
  • People of Gilead Ho 6:8
  • The Herods Mt 2:16; 14:10; Ac 12:2
  • Herodias and her daughter Mt 14:8-11
  • Chief priests Mt 27:1
  • Judas Mt 27:4
  • Barabbas Mr 15:7
  • Jews Ac 7:52; 1Th 2:15