Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  0  »  5025 killing

Depriving another person or animal of life, usually by physical force. Scripture identifies various types of killing. While forbidding murder, killing of human beings is permitted in the form of execution and war. Animals may be killed for food or sacrifice, provided that the blood is ritually disposed of.

Murder

Murder prohibited by the sixth commandment

Exodus 20:13 pp Deuteronomy 5:17

Murder prohibited from the time of Noah

See also Genesis 9:5-6; Leviticus 17:11

The life of the murderer is forfeit

Genesis 9:6

Judicial killing

Judicial killing permitted for capital crimes

Exodus 21:12 See also Exodus 22:18-20; Deuteronomy 17:8-13; Deuteronomy 21:18-21; Deuteronomy 22:21-27

Executed criminals are under the curse of God

Deuteronomy 21:23

Unintentional killing (manslaughter)

The accidental killing of a fellow human being

Exodus 21:13 See also Deuteronomy 4:41-42

The provision of cities of refuge to avoid blood revenge

Deuteronomy 19:2-13 Blood revenge, based on Ge 9:6, refers to the judicial revenge of a family or clan against a man who accidentally kills one of their members.

Killing in war

Killing in a holy war

Joshua 6:17,21

Killing in other wars

Deuteronomy 20:10-15

The killing of animals

Regulations for disposal of blood

Leviticus 17:3-7,11

Animals may be killed at a distance from the sanctuary

Deuteronomy 12:15-16

Limitations on the killing of animals

Deuteronomy 22:6-7 This limitation appears to be an attempt to preserve the balance of nature.

See also

5040  murder
5493  retribution
5495  revenge & retaliation
5605  warfare
5975  violence
7338  cities of refuge
7346  death penalty