Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7346 death penalty
The lawful taking of human life by the civil or military authorities. The death penalty was inflicted by all nations in the ancient world. In Israel, the main method was stoning, amongst other nations, other forms such as hanging, beheading and crucifixion were used.
The ultimate authority for the death penalty lies with God alone
Examples of God taking human life
Exodus 12:29
See also
Numbers 16:35;
1 Samuel 6:19; Samuel 25:38;
2 Samuel 6:7 pp
1 Chronicles 13:10;
Acts 12:23
God may delegate his authority to human beings
Genesis 9:6;
Joshua 7:15,25;
1 Samuel 15:3,32-33
The role of the civil authority
Acts 25:11;
Romans 13:1,3-4
Causes of the death penalty
Sacrilege
Exodus 19:12-13
Serious abuse of one's parents
Exodus 21:15,17;
Deuteronomy 21:18-21;
Matthew 15:4
Adultery
Leviticus 20:10;
Deuteronomy 22:22;
John 8:5
Blasphemy
Leviticus 24:16;
John 19:7
Idolatry
Leviticus 20:2
Immorality
Leviticus 20:11-16;
Deuteronomy 22:21-25
Kidnapping
Exodus 21:16
Murder
Genesis 9:6;
Exodus 21:12
Rebellion
Deuteronomy 17:12
Sabbath-breaking
Exodus 31:14-15;
Numbers 15:32-36
Witchcraft
Leviticus 20:27;
1 Samuel 28:9
Rape of a betrothed virgin
Deuteronomy 22:23-29
Bestiality
Exodus 22:19
Child sacrifice
Leviticus 20:2-5
Means of executing the death penalty
Beheading
Genesis 40:19;
Mark 6:27 pp
Matthew 14:9-10
Burning
Daniel 3:6
Crucifixion
Matthew 27:26 pp
Mark 15:15 pp
John 19:16;
Matthew 27:38 pp
Mark 15:27 pp
Luke 23:33
Hanging
Genesis 40:22;
Deuteronomy 21:22-23;
Acts 5:30;
Galatians 3:13
Impalement
Ezra 6:11;
Esther 2:23 fn; Esther 5:14; Esther 7:9-10; Esther 9:12-13
Stoning
Leviticus 24:23;
Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Stoning was the duty of the whole community:
Leviticus 20:2; Leviticus 24:14;
Numbers 15:35
Stoning carried out lawfully:
Leviticus 24:23;
Numbers 15:36;
Joshua 7:25
Stoning carried out unlawfully:
1 Kings 21:11-13;
2 Chronicles 24:21;
Acts 7:54-59
The attempted stoning of Jesus Christ:
John 8:58-59; John 10:31-33
John 8:3-11
Jesus Christ refuses to carry out a stoning.
The sword
Exodus 32:27;
1 Samuel 15:33; Samuel 22:18-19;
1 Kings 2:29,46;
2 Chronicles 23:14-15;
Daniel 2:5;
Acts 12:2;
Hebrews 11:37
Wild beasts
Daniel 6:16
The commutation of the death penalty
Genesis 4:15;
Exodus 21:13,29-30;
Numbers 35:6;
Deuteronomy 4:42; Deuteronomy 19:1-10
See also
5025 killing
5040 murder
5276 crime
5281 crucifixion
5322 gallows
5331 hanging
5361 justice, human
5557 stoning
5572 sword
8450 martyrdom
9020 death