Intro: What Is Murder According to the Bible?
The Bible clearly defines what is murder according to the Bible: the intentional and unjustified taking of innocent human life. The concept of what is murder according to the Bible extends beyond physical acts and includes heart motives, such as anger and hatred. This moral and spiritual law appears early in Scripture and is carried throughout, influencing not just Judeo-Christian beliefs but also modern legal systems like those of the United States. Understanding how the Bible classifies and treats different kinds of killing offers critical insight into justice, mercy, and divine authority.
1. The Sixth Commandment: “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
In Exodus 20:13 (KJV), God says: “Thou shalt not kill.” The Hebrew word here is ratsach, which specifically means murder—intentional and unlawful killing—not general killing. Modern translations often say, “You shall not murder” to clarify this meaning. This is the foundation of the biblical definition of murder.
2. Murder vs. Killing: A Biblical Distinction
The Bible acknowledges various kinds of killing, but only some are considered murder:
- Premeditated killing (murder) – Exodus 21:14: “But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.”
- Heat-of-the-moment killing (manslaughter) – Numbers 35:20-21: Anger or hatred still results in death penalty.
- Accidental killing – Deuteronomy 19:4-5: The killer would be protected by cities of refuge.
This differentiation directly influenced modern U.S. law, which also distinguishes between first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and manslaughter.
3. Jesus Deepens the Meaning of Murder
In Matthew 5:21-22 (KJV), Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it was said… Thou shalt not kill… But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Jesus shows that murder begins in the heart—through unjustified anger and hatred.
4. Executions Commanded by God Are Not Murder
God, as the author of life, has the authority to give and take life. When He orders execution, it is not murder. Deuteronomy 32:39 says, “I kill, and I make alive… neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.” He also delegates this authority to human agents.
In Genesis 9:6, God institutes the principle of justice through human hands: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” This isn’t a license for personal revenge, but a divine ordaining of justice carried out by society.
Romans 13:1-4 further confirms this delegated authority. Verse 1 says, “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Then in verse 4, we read: “For he is the minister of God to thee for good… a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
These verses show that governing authorities act under God’s command when they punish evildoers—even to the point of execution. Therefore, it is not murder when the state, operating under divine principles, enforces justice.
5. Examples of Murder in Scripture
The Bible is full of illustrative examples:
- Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)
- David and Uriah (2 Samuel 11)
- Herod’s killing of infants (Matthew 2:16)
Each reflects a form of unjustified killing, thus meeting the Bible’s definition of murder.
6. Forgiveness Is Available Even to Murderers
Though murder is one of the gravest sins, the Bible offers hope through repentance:
- Moses killed an Egyptian (Exodus 2:12). While some may argue it was an act of protection for a fellow Hebrew being beaten, the text says Moses “looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian.” This suggests intent and awareness, marking the act as closer to murder than accidental or purely defensive killing. Yet, God still chose Moses to be the deliverer of His people.
- David arranged for Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 12:13)
- Paul consented to the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1), yet became the greatest apostle
God’s mercy shows that even murderers can be redeemed. Not only that, but some of the Bible’s most honored figures—patriarchs, prophets, and apostles—had committed murder. Their stories testify to the power of God’s forgiveness and His ability to transform even the worst sinners into world-changing vessels of grace.
7. What About Abortion? Is It Murder According to the Bible?
While the Bible does not use the word “abortion,” it speaks clearly about the value and personhood of life in the womb:
- Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV): “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…”
- Psalm 139:13-14 (KJV): “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
- Exodus 21:22-23 (KJV): “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her… he shall be surely punished… And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life.”
These verses show that God views the unborn as fully human and personally known by Him. Exodus 21 even equates harm to an unborn child with capital consequences, reinforcing the sanctity of life before birth. Based on this, many conclude that abortion—the intentional ending of that life—is considered murder in the eyes of Scripture.
8. Influence on U.S. Law
Biblical distinctions have directly shaped U.S. criminal law:
- First-degree murder mirrors premeditated murder in Exodus 21:14
- Manslaughter corresponds to killing without malice in Deuteronomy 19
- Justified killing aligns with God’s delegation of judgment to governing authorities in Romans 13:1-4
The moral authority of Scripture has deeply impacted the American legal understanding of murder and justice.
Conclusion: Biblical Justice and the Sanctity of Life
What is murder according to the Bible? It is the unlawful, intentional taking of innocent life, motivated by hate, pride, or evil. What is murder according to the Bible is not just defined by physical acts but also by the condition of the heart. But the Bible goes further, judging even the heart of a murderer, and offering grace to the repentant. These truths about what is murder according to the Bible continue to shape modern concepts of law and morality. For more background, see the Wikipedia article on Biblical law in Christianity.