Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5277 criminals

Individuals who are guilty of crimes such as murder, adultery, theft, perjury or treason. Scripture refers to and gives examples of young law-breakers (delinquents).

Criminals guilty of murder

Cain

Genesis 4:8

Abimelech

See also Judges 9:5

Doeg the Edomite

1 Samuel 22:18

David

2 Samuel 11:14-17

Absalom

2 Samuel 13:23-29

Herod the Great

Matthew 2:16

Barabbas

Mark 15:7 pp Luke 23:19

Criminals guilty of adultery

David

2 Samuel 11:2-5

Gomer (Hosea's wife)

See also Hosea 3:1

Criminals guilty of theft

Rachel

Genesis 31:19,30

Achan

Joshua 7:21

Judas Iscariot

John 12:6

Criminals guilty of perjury

Joel and Abijah (sons of Samuel)

1 Samuel 8:3

Two who gave false evidence against Naboth

1 Kings 21:13

Examples of criminals guilty of treason

Zimri

1 Kings 16:15-18

Athaliah

2 Kings 11:1-3 pp 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

Examples of delinquents

Those who break the fifth commandment as minors may have been treated as criminals

Exodus 20:12

Manasseh, king of Judah

2 Kings 21:1-2

Youths who jeered Elisha

2 Kings 2:23-24

Those who ignore the wise counsel of Solomon

Proverbs 1:1-4 It seems that sections of Proverbs were written with young people in mind. Those who choose to act upon its wisdom will please God and keep themselves out of the troubles common to youth.

Those who succumb to the evil desires of youth

See also 2 Timothy 2:22 Young people are warned that the strength of their desires can easily get them into trouble. Young Christians are, with God's help, able to control such desires.

The punishment of criminals

By hanging

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 See also 2 Samuel 21:9; Ezra 6:11; Esther 7:9-10

By stoning

Deuteronomy 22:23-24 See also Leviticus 20:1-2; Joshua 7:24-25

By beating

Deuteronomy 25:2-3 See also Acts 16:20-23; 2 Corinthians 11:24-25

By confiscation of property

Ezra 7:26 See also Ezra 10:8

By crucifixion

Luke 23:32-33 pp Matthew 27:38 pp Mark 15:27 See also Luke 23:40-41

See also

2410  cross, the
5040  murder
5276  crime
5344  imprisonment
5482  punishment
5555  stealing
6242  adultery
7346  death penalty