Exodus 20:13 kjv
Thou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:13 nkjv
"You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:13 niv
"You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:13 esv
"You shall not murder.
Exodus 20:13 nlt
"You must not murder.
Exodus 20 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 21:12 | "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies... " | Punishment for murder |
| Num 35:16 | "If he strikes him with an iron instrument... " | Definition of intentional murder |
| Deut 5:17 | "You shall not murder." | Repetition of the Sixth Commandment |
| Gen 1:27 | "So God created man in his own image..." | Foundation: sanctity of human life |
| Gen 9:6 | "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man..." | Justification for capital punishment |
| Lev 24:17 | "Whoever takes a human life shall surely..." | Life for life principle |
| 1 Kin 21:19 | "In the place where dogs licked up..." | Consequence for Naboth's murder |
| Isa 59:7 | "Their feet run to evil, and they are swift... " | Widespread sin, including murder |
| Hos 4:2 | "There is swearing, deception, murder..." | Condemnation of moral decay |
| Matt 5:21-22 | "You have heard that it was said to those... " | Jesus' expansion: anger and hatred |
| Matt 15:19 | "For out of the heart come evil thoughts... " | Murder originates from the heart |
| Rom 1:29 | "...full of envy, murder, strife..." | Part of universal human depravity |
| Rom 13:9 | "For the commandments, 'You shall not...'" | Love fulfills the law |
| Gal 5:21 | "...envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things... " | Works of the flesh, includes murder |
| 1 Tim 1:9-10 | "...for murderers, for fornicators..." | Law is for the lawless, including murderers |
| 1 Pet 4:15 | "But let none of you suffer as a murderer..." | Suffering for sin vs. righteousness |
| Rev 21:8 | "...and murderers and sexually immoral..." | Fate of the unrepentant wicked |
| Rev 22:15 | "Outside are the dogs and sorcerers..." | Exclusion from new Jerusalem |
| Deut 19:4-6 | "So whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally... " | Distinction: unintentional vs. intentional |
| Josh 20:2-3 | "Speak to the people of Israel, 'Appoint...'" | Cities of Refuge for manslaughter |
| Jn 8:44 | "He was a murderer from the beginning..." | Satan, the instigator of murder |
| 1 Jn 3:15 | "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer." | Heart attitude: hatred is spiritual murder |
Exodus 20 verses
Exodus 20 13 Meaning
Exodus 20:13 states, "You shall not murder." This commandment, given by God to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, is a fundamental moral law protecting human life. It prohibits the unlawful, intentional, and unjustified taking of another human being's life, specifically focusing on the malicious shedding of innocent blood. It underscores the sanctity of human life, which is uniquely created in God's image (imago Dei).
Exodus 20 13 Context
Exodus chapter 20 presents the Ten Commandments, delivered by God to the Israelites directly after their liberation from slavery in Egypt. This established a foundational covenant between God and His people, outlining their moral and spiritual responsibilities. The commandments are divided into two parts: duties toward God (commandments 1-4) and duties toward fellow human beings (commandments 5-10). The Sixth Commandment, "You shall not murder," stands within the second table of the law, directly following the command to honor parents. It highlights the divine emphasis on the value of human life and the sanctity of communal peace, protecting the fundamental right to existence within the covenant community and universally.
Exodus 20 13 Word analysis
- You: The singular "you" (masculine) addressing each individual Israelite, implying personal responsibility for obedience, yet given to the whole community.
- shall not: (Hebrew: lo') A direct, absolute, and unyielding negation. It conveys a strong prohibition, leaving no room for negotiation or exceptions within the specified act.
- murder: (Hebrew: tirtzach from the root רָצַח - ratsach) This is a crucial distinction. Ratsach specifically refers to the unlawful, malicious, or premeditated killing of a human being. It does not apply to all forms of killing, such as:
- Killing in warfare (e.g., harag is used for this).
- Capital punishment, which God commanded for certain offenses (e.g., Gen 9:6).
- Accidental killing (manslaughter), which was dealt with differently (e.g., through cities of refuge, Num 35).
- Self-defense (implicitly permissible for survival).The use of ratsach emphasizes that the commandment protects innocent human life from malicious and unjust taking. The significance is to delineate what kinds of killing are an abomination in God's eyes and what forms of killing are sometimes permitted or commanded by God under specific circumstances.
Exodus 20 13 Bonus section
The broader implication of "You shall not murder" includes the protection of one's own life, prohibiting suicide as the unjust taking of a life that belongs to God. Furthermore, the command is foundational to establishing a just and peaceful society where life is cherished and protected by divine decree. The very existence of this commandment within the Decalogue underscores life's unparalleled sacredness and highlights a sharp contrast to the human sacrifice and arbitrary taking of life prevalent in many ancient pagan cultures. God alone is the ultimate sovereign over life and death.
Exodus 20 13 Commentary
The Sixth Commandment, "You shall not murder," is more precise than a general prohibition against all killing. Its Hebrew term ratsach signifies the heinous act of unlawful and intentional homicide, particularly against an innocent person. This commandment flows from the understanding that human beings are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), bestowing inherent dignity and value on every individual life. To murder, then, is not merely a crime against humanity, but an offense against God Himself, devaluing His creation and prerogative over life.
The Old Testament provides further clarity through laws concerning cities of refuge and distinguishing between intentional murder and accidental manslaughter (Num 35; Deut 19). In the New Testament, Jesus deepens the understanding of this commandment, revealing that its principle extends beyond the outward act to the inner disposition. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that hatred and unrighteous anger in the heart are also a form of "murder" in God's sight, emphasizing the sin's origin within the heart. John echoes this, stating, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer" (1 Jn 3:15). Thus, the commandment calls not only for the absence of violent action but also for the cultivation of love, peace, and reverence for life in thought, word, and deed, ultimately protecting the value of every individual made in God's image.
Examples for practical usage:
- Resolving conflicts through peaceful means rather than violence.
- Cultivating forgiveness and relinquishing bitterness or hatred towards others.
- Valuing and protecting the lives of the vulnerable.