Topical Bible: Blood: Shedding of Human: Forbidden

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The shedding of human blood is a significant theme in the Bible, underscoring the sanctity of human life and the divine prohibition against murder. From the earliest chapters of Genesis, the Bible establishes the inherent value of human life, created in the image of God, and the severe consequences of unlawfully taking it.

Genesis 4:10-11 introduces the gravity of shedding human blood with the account of Cain and Abel. After Cain kills his brother Abel, the Lord confronts him, saying, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand." This passage highlights the divine awareness and response to the shedding of innocent blood.

The prohibition against murder is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:13 commands, "You shall not murder." This commandment is foundational to the moral and legal codes that follow, emphasizing the inviolability of human life.

In the post-flood covenant with Noah, God reiterates the sanctity of human life and the prohibition against shedding blood. Genesis 9:5-6 states, "And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed; I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind." This passage not only forbids murder but also establishes the principle of justice and retribution for those who commit such acts.

The Mosaic Law further elaborates on the consequences of shedding human blood. Numbers 35:33-34 warns, "Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites." The land is defiled by bloodshed, and the law provides for cities of refuge to ensure that justice is served while protecting the innocent.

The New Testament continues to uphold the prohibition against murder. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, expands the understanding of this commandment. Matthew 5:21-22 states, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Here, Jesus emphasizes the heart's condition, linking unjust anger with the act of murder.

The apostle Paul reiterates the commandment in his epistles. In Romans 13:9, he writes, "The commandments 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This encapsulates the moral imperative to respect and preserve human life as an expression of love.

Throughout Scripture, the shedding of human blood is consistently condemned, reflecting the divine mandate to honor and protect life. The biblical narrative underscores the belief that life is sacred, given by God, and that its unlawful taking is a grave offense with spiritual and communal repercussions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 9:5
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... For they were forbidden the use of the blood that they might abhor the shedding
of human blood; wherefore it is written (Gn.9:4,5): "Flesh with blood you shall ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... Blood was forbidden, both in order to avoid cruelty, that they might abhor the shedding
of human blood, as stated above (A[3], ad 8); and in order to shun ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
... Thus according to human laws, soldiers who are deputed to warlike pursuits are ... for
clerics to fight, because war is directed to the shedding of blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for.htm

And Now Let us Proceed to Explain the Reasons for which this ...
... beasts, but by ruthless and soul-destroying spirits of evil, human power no ... the city
from famine could only be effected by the shedding of the blood of his ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiii and now let.htm

A Divine Colloquy Between the Soul and Her Saviour Upon the ...
... assure thee of two things:"First, That by my blood-shedding justification and ... thy
presence; as oft as the redness of his blood glitters in ... Human, 1. i. exerce ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a divine colloquy between the.htm

Although the Jews, Then, Pride Themselves on Circumcision, they ...
... a certain angel having power before the shedding of the blood, but who became powerless
through the blood of circumcision. ... as Jesus had not assumed a human body ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii although the jews.htm

Epistle Lxii. C??cilius, on the Sacrament of the Cup of the Lord.
... commandments, how much rather is it forbidden to infringe ... or to change it by human
tradition into ... to be disturbed concerning His blood and His blood-shedding. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxii caecilius on the.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... supplications, and the most exquisitely painful experience of human infirmities,
on ... or sacrifice of the body of Christ, by the shedding of his blood on the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... the national religion, as a stigma upon human nature. ... children are partakers of flesh
and blood, he,' that ... hope is begotten by the Spirit's shedding abroad the ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

On the Glory of Martyrdom.
... so that in that judgment-day their blood-shedding would make ... without a shudder the
torments inflicted by human power. ... him that he was to shed the blood of his ...
/.../on the glory of martyrdom.htm