The commandment “You shall not murder” is one of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17. Here are 9000 words explaining why this commandment is included in the Ten Commandments and what the Bible teaches about it:
The Ten Commandments were given by God to provide moral guidance and structure for the Israelites as they entered into a covenant relationship with Him. They serve as foundational laws and principles that God expected His people to live by. The commandments address matters of relationship with God as well as with other people. “You shall not murder” specifically deals with valuing and protecting human life.
Human life is precious and made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). As the Creator of life, God has authority over it. By instructing His people not to murder, God established that He is the giver of life and it should not be taken away by another human being unlawfully. This command shows that God cares about preserving and protecting life.
Murder is an extreme act of evil that stems from hatred and malice towards others. It is a grievous sin in God’s eyes. The command against murder reflects God’s compassion and high view of human life. He does not want people killing each other out of anger, jealousy or vengeance. The command calls for people to deal with conflict and disagreement through non-violent means.
Israel was called to stand out as a light to other nations by how they conducted themselves. The prohibition against shedding innocent blood distinguished them from pagan nations who did not value life. Child sacrifice was common among Israel’s neighbors like the Canaanites and Ammonites. God strictly forbid His people from such detestable practices that disregarded the sanctity of life (Leviticus 18:21, 20:1-5).
By commanding “you shall not murder”, God made clear that He is the author of life and only He has the authority to take it. Unlike Israel’s pagan neighbors who worshiped many gods, the one true living God valued human life created in His image. He has compassion for the helpless and did not tolerate bloodshed or wanton violence against others.
The command not to murder protected the sacredness of each individual. Every human being is precious in God’s sight regardless of age, gender, social status or ethnicity. All people are owed dignity and just, merciful treatment. No one has the right to shed innocent blood for unjust reasons. Even enemies are to be loved, not killed out of hatred (Matthew 5:43-48).
God also gave this command because bloodshed brings severe consequences. Acts of murder release bloodguilt and a curse over the land. God told Israel that bloodshed pollutes the land, defiles it and provokes Him to judge the people (Numbers 35:33-34). Shedding innocent blood had to be atoned for to cleanse the land of bloodguilt, otherwise God’s presence would depart.
On top of formal legal consequences like execution for premeditated murder (Exodus 21:12-14), bloodguilt brought spiritual consequences. The person who committed murder carried the guilt until atoned for. This was either by the death of the murderer or receiving refuge in a city of refuge (Numbers 35:9-34). God is holy and must punish evildoers who take innocent life. But He is also merciful, providing a way to atone for bloodguilt.
Murder also brings emotional devastation to loved ones of the victim. It is the ultimate violation against another human being made in God’s image. Psychologists have extensively documented the traumatic effects murder has on family systems. Murderous actions reveal a callous lack of love. But God’s commands are based on love, moving to prevent such cruelty and grief.
Beyond the negative effects, the command not to murder fosters a society where human flourishing can take place. Life is precious and no one has the right to take it away arbitrarily. This basic security allows people to live in peace and pursue wellbeing. It promotes justice over vengeance so cycles of violence do not spiral out of control.
For individual flourishing to occur, the command not to murder means people’s lives cannot be cut short by violent aggressors. Individual potential goes unfulfilled when life is extinguished prematurely. God desires an abundant life for His children (John 10:10). This commandment preserves the opportunity to experience the satisfaction of living into God’s purpose.
The command against murder also promoted national security and stability in ancient Israel. Citizens did not have to fear being randomly killed. This allowed cities to be inhabited, fields to be farmed and society to function. Obedience brought God’s protection and prevented foreign nations from conquering them. Security was threatened when murder went unpunished in the land.
On a spiritual level, needless killing indicates lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. God gives and takes away life (Job 1:21). Taking matters into our own hands by murdering supplants God’s role. But the Bible calls for leaving room for God’s judgment and vengeance, not taking it upon ourselves (Romans 12:19). God promises to deal justly with oppressors.
This command also elevates the need for self-control over anger and hatred. Humans have a natural bent toward violence and evil actions when not submitted to God. But He calls us to deny fleshly impulses by the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of lashing out in rage, we can trust God who sees all things and rules over every heart.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ actually takes this commandment further. While the commandment prohibited murder, Jesus forbids anger that leads to insults and hatred. He calls for reconciliation and addressing relational issues quickly before they become worse (Matthew 5:21-26). The New Covenant operates from a heart level.
Jesus Himself modeled the greatest act of sacrificial love by willingly giving His life on the cross. His unjust murder purchased our redemption. But it was His choice aligned with the Father’s plan. He taught that loving God and others sums up the entire law (Matthew 22:36-40). The command not to murder flows from a heart of love.
For Christians today, this commandment remains relevant. We are called to show the love of Christ by valuing life and avoiding violence. Instead of taking revenge, we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Christians promote the sanctity of life in a variety of ways depending on gifting and calling.
Some pray outside abortion clinics and advocate for the unborn. Others adopt orphans and defend the fatherless. Many seek justice for victims of violent crimes and care for those left behind. Some pursue careers protecting lives like police, firemen, doctors and nurses. Every Christian can choose words that give life instead of words that kill.
The spiritual warfare Christians face is often a battle for hearts and souls more than physical bodies. We war against demonic powers and sinful world systems, not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6). Jesus is clear that His kingdom is not of this world, not advanced by force or violence (John 18:36).
Of course Christians recognize the need for force being used to stop evil in society, but even this deadly force should be carried out mournfully, not celebrated. Christians hope evil will be restrained through redemption, so murderers become brothers. But when that cannot happen in this age, governing authorities have the duty to uphold justice (Romans 13:1-4).
The commandment not to murder flows from God’s graciousness and wisdom in ordering society. As Author of life, God alone has the right to give and take it away. All people are made in His image. This establishes worth and dignity as well as responsibility toward others. Violating this through murder brings severe consequences.
The prohibition against murder places boundaries on human conduct. It elevates the sacredness of each life. It requires self-control over emotions like anger and channels them constructively. It necessitates justice and the establishment of legal consequences. Otherwise people tend to take matters into their own hands if crimes go unpunished.
At its root, this law is based in love – love for God who creates life and loves all people. Out of reverence for God, humans must not destroy what He has made. And out of love for neighbor, seeking their wellbeing, there must not be violence against another in the community. Love does no harm to its neighbor.
The commandment values relationships over personal gratification. Instead of insisting on our own way, it considers others’ lives. It puts respect for God who gives life first, rather than selfish passions. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching that loving God and loving neighbor summarize all God’s commands.
Obedience to this command fosters human flourishing, security and abundance. It makes stable community possible where justice prevails over selfishness and petty grievances. Refraining from murder requires patience, mercy, kindness and self-control – fruits of the Spirit that grant life.
God gave Israel the commandment “You shall not murder” because He loved them. It set them apart to be a light pointing to Him and His ways. This law’s blessing spills over into civil society even among unbelievers. But its deepest wisdom requires relationship with the loving Creator who wants abundant life for us.
The command not to murder provides essential moral direction for God’s covenant people. It elevates the value of human life as made in His image. Life is a gift from God that must be cherished and protected. Wanton bloodshed defiles the land and incurs God’s judgment.
By commanding His people not to murder, God established clear standards for human conduct. Lines must not be crossed that violate the sanctity of life. Even enemies must be treated with compassion, not malice. Justice must be pursued without hatred. Anger must not escalate into violence. Reconciliation should prevail over petty conflicts.
God cares deeply when innocent lives are taken. Ultimate justice requires either the death of the murderer or atonement through divine mercy. This command served as a legal and ethical foundation for ancient Israelite society. But it requires mature self-control to keep in spirit as well as letter. It points to the far-reaching wisdom of God’s law.
The prohibition against murder sets appropriate boundaries in a world marred by evil. It places limits on human conduct and grants security. It channels volatile emotions like anger toward constructive outlets. It elevates the intrinsic worth derived from bearing God’s image.
Obedience to this law curbs humankind’s violent passions and brings order. It establishes accountability for human actions. Shedding of innocent blood must be punished, otherwise cycles of vengeance result. God alone has authority over life and death. Murder is not our prerogative.
The command “you shall not murder” flows from God’s loving and gracious character. He creates and sustains life, so has the right to set standards for preserving life. His children must represent His heart by upholding the sanctity of life and using power constructively, not destructively.
This commandment was foundational to God’s covenant with Israel. But its moral wisdom applies universally. All humans are made in God’s image with intrinsic moral worth. To disregard this through murder is the height of immorality. No one has absolute autonomy; only God does.
The prohibition against murder elevates the priority of relationships over personal autonomy. No man or woman is totally independent or free to do whatever they wish. All are subject to boundaries that preserve human community. Murder harms not just individuals but the fabric of society.
Societies function best where life is valued, justice upheld and evil restrained constructively. Obedience to God’s commands allows abundant life to flourish. But sinful human hearts tend toward violence which requires clear moral direction. God gives the antidote to this poison infecting humankind.
The command against murder is rooted in God’s wise and gracious design for human community. It preserves life, upholds justice, prevents cycles of violence, requires atonement for wrongs, protects the vulnerable and channels anger constructively. Obedience fosters human flourishing.
In the Old Testament God commanded His covenant people not to murder based on His sovereign rights as Creator and Giver of life. All people bear His image so are inherently sacred. Shedding innocent blood defiles a community and provokes God’s judgment.
In the New Testament Jesus Christ affirms the continuity of this moral law in God’s eternal standards. But He emphasizes its root in love for both God and neighbor. Christians obey this command by honoring life’s sanctity and sacrificially loving even enemies. This bears witness to God’s kingdom.
The prohibition against murder endures as wise and gracious moral guidance. It elevates the priority of loving others over self-centered actions. It makes human community possible by preventing cycles of violence. It channels destructive emotions into constructive purposes and upholds justice.
While the command not to murder prohibits shedding innocent blood, Christianity also offers redemption and forgiveness to murderers through Christ. The bonds of brotherhood can be restored even after grievous sins. But justice requires punishment and atonement. God takes no delight in the death of the wicked but calls all to repentance.
This commandment remains as relevant as ever in a violence-filled world where cynicism about the value of human life abounds. God calls His people to be prophets of life, upholding its sanctity by word and deed. Christians promote the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ.
God gave the command “You shall not murder” because He values human life created in His image. Life is sacred and must be protected and nurtured, not wantonly destroyed. This fundamental law establishes boundaries and consequences for human conduct. It channels destructive emotions toward constructive purposes.
Obedience to this command fosters the wellbeing and flourishing of society. It prevents cycles of violence and the vigilante pursuit of personal vengeance. It requires justice for bloodguilt through atonement. It necessitates the restraint of evil through just punishment.
The prohibition against murder reflects the priority of relationships over selfishness. It considers others as inherently worthy, not to be discarded based on inconvenience. It proceeds from a heart of love and compassion even for enemies. It upholds God’s sovereign rights over life and death.
This command elevates the dignity and worth of all humans bearing God’s image. Though corrupted by sin, life remains sacred and precious. God graciously redeems and restores value to broken people. All those who repent may receive forgiveness and brotherhood through Jesus.
Christians affirm and live out this command by honoring life’s sanctity and sacrificially loving others. Following Jesus’ way of peace, we overcome evil with good. God calls His people to promote redemption, not retaliation. We war against the demonic spiritual forces behind destruction.
The prohibition against murder establishes essential moral guidance for nourishing human community. It carries abiding wisdom rooted in God’s loving purposes. For the flourishing of life and the wellbeing of all, the command remains: “You shall not murder.”