Deuteronomy 5:17 kjv
Thou shalt not kill.
Deuteronomy 5:17 nkjv
'You shall not murder.
Deuteronomy 5:17 niv
"You shall not murder.
Deuteronomy 5:17 esv
"'You shall not murder.
Deuteronomy 5:17 nlt
"You must not murder.
Deuteronomy 5 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 20:13 | "You shall not murder." | Original statement of the Sixth Commandment |
| Matt 5:21-22 | "You have heard... not murder... but I say... angry with his brother..." | Jesus expands the command to inner hatred |
| 1 Jn 3:15 | "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer..." | Hatred equates to murder in God's sight |
| Rom 13:9 | "For the commandments... ‘You shall not murder’... summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" | Love fulfills the law, including this command |
| Jas 2:11 | "For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.'" | The Law is indivisible and applies equally |
| Gen 4:8-10 | "Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him... What have you done?" | First recorded act of murder in the Bible |
| Gen 9:6 | "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed..." | Basis for capital punishment and sanctity of life |
| Num 35:16-18 | "If he struck him... so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death." | Defines murder and its penalty |
| Num 35:25-27 | "the congregation shall protect the slayer from the hand of the avenger... until the death of the high priest." | Provides for Cities of Refuge for accidental killing |
| Deut 19:11-13 | "But if anyone hates his neighbor... lies in wait for him, attacks him..." | Distinguishes premeditated murder from manslaughter |
| Exod 21:12 | "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death." | Prescribes capital punishment for homicide |
| Lev 24:17 | "Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death." | Reiteration of the life-for-life principle |
| Ps 94:6 | "They slay the widow and the sojourner..." | Depicts the wicked's disregard for life |
| Isa 59:7 | "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood..." | Prophetic lament against injustice and violence |
| Rev 21:8 | "...cowardly, faithless, detestable, as for murderers... their portion will be in the lake that burns..." | Judgment for those who practice murder |
| John 8:44 | "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth..." | Describes Satan's murderous nature |
| Mark 7:21-23 | "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts... murder..." | The heart is the source of sinful desires, including murder |
| Luke 18:20 | "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder...’" | Jesus confirms the importance of the commandments |
| Gal 5:19-21 | "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality... enmity, strife... murder..." | Murder as a manifestation of fallen human nature |
| Tit 3:3 | "For we ourselves were once foolish... living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another." | Reflects the internal dispositions that lead to murder |
| Psa 139:13-16 | "For you created my inmost being... wonderfully made..." | Highlights God's intricate creation of human life |
| Gen 1:26-27 | "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" | Foundational reason for life's sanctity: image of God |
| Jer 7:9 | "Will you steal, murder, commit adultery... and come and stand before me...?" | Prophetic condemnation of those who break the law while maintaining outward religiosity |
Deuteronomy 5 verses
Deuteronomy 5 17 Meaning
Deuteronomy 5:17 states, "You shall not murder." This commandment is an absolute prohibition against the unlawful taking of a human life, establishing the inherent sacredness of life. It guards against intentional homicide motivated by malice or greed, recognizing that all human life is valuable because humanity is made in the image of God.
Deuteronomy 5 17 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 5 presents Moses' recounting and re-establishment of the Ten Commandments (also known as the Decalogue) to the generation of Israelites about to enter the Promised Land. This restatement at the threshold of Canaan underscores the perpetual nature and foundational importance of God's covenant with His people, first given at Mount Horeb (Sinai). The commands form the ethical core of their society, defining their relationship with God and with each other. This specific commandment (the Sixth) addresses the sanctity of human life, preceding commands related to marriage, property, and truth, thereby emphasizing life's supreme value.
Deuteronomy 5 17 Word analysis
- You (לֹ֤א — lo’) (Often implied in the verb, which is second person plural): The command is directed at the entire community of Israel and each individual within it. It signifies personal responsibility and the collective obligation to uphold this foundational moral principle.
- shall not (לֹ֤א — lo’): This is an emphatic, absolute prohibition in Hebrew, conveying a complete and binding ban. There are no circumstances under which this act is permissible.
- murder (תִּרְצָ֖ח — tirtzach): This is the Hebrew word ratsach (רָצַח). Its meaning is highly specific:
- Specificity of ratsach: Unlike general words for 'killing' such as harag (to slay or kill, which can apply to animals, warfare, or lawful execution) or qatal (to kill, execute, put to death), ratsach denotes unlawful, malicious, or morally culpable killing. It encompasses premeditated murder, as well as intentional acts that lead to death, and even accidental homicide in the context of legal redress (where the slayer would flee to a city of refuge).
- Exclusions: It does not prohibit lawful execution (prescribed by God for certain capital offenses), killing in righteous warfare (sanctioned by God), or killing in legitimate self-defense (though specific laws for self-defense aren't detailed in the Decalogue, they are understood in broader biblical law). The command specifically protects against unjustified bloodshed.
- Polemics: This command set Israel apart from surrounding pagan cultures, which often practiced child sacrifice, ritual killings, and indiscriminate violence. It underscored God's unique valuation of human life, which is made in His divine image (Gen 1:27, Gen 9:6), and established a moral foundation for justice that was superior to other societies of the time.
Deuteronomy 5 17 Bonus section
The placement of "You shall not murder" as the sixth commandment is significant, as it follows commandments concerning worship of God, reverence for His name, and the Sabbath. This sequence demonstrates that right relationship with God naturally flows into right relationship with fellow humans, with the sanctity of life being paramount. The divine basis for the prohibition on murder lies in humanity being created in God's image, making an assault on human life an assault on God's likeness itself. This principle extends to protecting the vulnerable and upholding justice, influencing ethical thought throughout biblical narrative concerning social responsibilities and moral uprightness.
Deuteronomy 5 17 Commentary
Deuteronomy 5:17, "You shall not murder," is a fundamental declaration of the sacredness of human life. It protects individuals from unlawful violence, forming a cornerstone for civil society rooted in God's covenant. This command does not merely forbid physical killing but, as understood through Jesus' teaching, also addresses the internal dispositions that lead to such acts, namely anger, hatred, and contempt for another person. Thus, it promotes valuing and honoring all human life, not only through outward behavior but also in thought and intention. Its observance fosters peace and respect within the community, reflecting God’s own respect for His creation. This command serves as a bulwark against the destructive forces of envy, malice, and vengeance, encouraging a community of compassion and justice.