Genesis 9:6 kjv
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Genesis 9:6 nkjv
"Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.
Genesis 9:6 niv
"Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.
Genesis 9:6 esv
"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Genesis 9:6 nlt
If anyone takes a human life, that person's life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.
Genesis 9 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:26-27 | Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." | Humanity's creation in God's image (Imago Dei). |
| Gen 4:10-11 | "What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground..." | God's justice responding to murder. |
| Exod 20:13 | “You shall not murder.” | Sixth commandment against unlawful killing. |
| Num 35:30-34 | "...for blood pollutes the land, and atonement for the land where blood has been shed can be made only by the blood of the one who shed it." | Murder defiles the land; only life for life cleanses. |
| Lev 24:17 | "Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death." | Explicit command for capital punishment for murder. |
| Deut 19:11-13 | "...his land, which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, may not be defiled with innocent blood." | Protection against murder; role of justice. |
| Psa 8:4-5 | "...what is mankind that You are mindful of them...? You have made them a little lower than the angels..." | Man's elevated status due to God's design. |
| Psa 94:1 | O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! | God as the ultimate Avenger of wrong. |
| Prov 28:17 | "A person tormented by the guilt of murder will flee to the grave; let no one help them." | Consequence and internal guilt of murderer. |
| Matt 5:21-22 | "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder...’ But I tell you..." | Jesus deepens the meaning to anger/hatred. |
| Rom 1:32 | "...those who practice such things deserve to die—and yet do these very things..." | God's righteous judgment against evil deeds. |
| Rom 12:19 | "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." | Vengeance belongs to God, though executed via authorities. |
| Rom 13:1-4 | "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities... He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment..." | Governmental authority as God's delegate. |
| Jas 3:9 | "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness." | Recognizes man made in God's likeness; consistency of speech. |
| Acts 17:28-29 | "...For in Him we live and move and have our being.' ...We are His offspring.' Therefore since we are God’s offspring..." | Humanity's divine origin, created by God. |
| Heb 10:30-31 | "For we know Him who said, 'It is Mine to avenge; I will repay.' And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.'" | God's ultimate role as judge and avenger. |
| Gen 5:1-3 | "This is the book of the generations of Adam... When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God..." | Reinforces the creation in God's image. |
| 1 John 3:15 | "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." | Hatred equivalent to murder in God's sight. |
| Rev 13:10 | "If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed." | Principle of justice and divine retribution. |
| Titus 3:1 | Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities... | Importance of submitting to governing authorities. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority... to rulers, as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong... | Christians subject to civil authorities for justice. |
Genesis 9 verses
Genesis 9 6 Meaning
Genesis 9:6 establishes the divine command against murder and mandates capital punishment for those who take human life. This fundamental principle is rooted in the unique dignity and sanctity of human beings, who are created in the image of God. The verse underscores that the value of human life is so immense that its unlawful taking warrants the ultimate earthly penalty, reflecting God's abhorrence of bloodshed and His sovereign valuing of human existence. It delegates the authority to uphold this justice to human agency.
Genesis 9 6 Context
Genesis chapter 9 occurs immediately after the great flood, marking a new beginning for humanity and creation. God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, which includes all humanity. This covenant introduces foundational laws for the post-flood world. Following commands concerning food consumption (allowing meat, but prohibiting consumption of blood), verse 6 specifically addresses the sanctity of human life. It sets forth the first universal mandate for maintaining justice and order in human society, distinguishing humanity from the animal kingdom and underlining their unique position as God's image-bearers. This decree predates the Mosaic Law, demonstrating its fundamental and universal application to all people.
Genesis 9 6 Word analysis
Whoever sheds (שפך - shafakh) the blood (דם - dam) of man (הָאָדָם - ha'adam):
- "Whoever sheds": Implies a deliberate and violent act, an intentional outpouring. This verb shafakh emphasizes the violent and unnatural expulsion of life, linking it to the sanctity of life inherent in blood (Lev 17:11).
- "Blood": In biblical thought, blood is synonymous with life itself (Lev 17:11, Deut 12:23). To "shed blood" is to take a life, highlighting its sacredness.
- "of man": Refers to any human being (אדם - adam), universalizing the principle to apply to all humanity without distinction.
by man (בָּאָדָם - ba'adam) shall his blood (דָמוֹ - damo) be shed:
- "by man": This phrase signifies the delegation of divine authority to human governance or society to execute justice. God empowers humanity to enforce this grave consequence, laying the groundwork for civil law and capital punishment.
- "shall his blood be shed": This is a mandatory and punitive outcome, a direct consequence of the crime. It implies a "life for life" principle, underscoring the gravity of taking a life created in God's image.
for God (כִּי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים - ki b'tselem Elohim) made man (עָשָׂה - asah... הָאָדָם - ha'adam) in His own image (בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים - b'tselem Elohim):
- "for God made man": Establishes the divine origin of humanity and the ultimate authority behind this command.
- "in His own image" (בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים - b'tselem Elohim): This is the profound theological foundation. Tselem (image) denotes more than physical likeness; it speaks of humanity's unique spiritual, moral, intellectual, and relational capacities that mirror God. Humans possess inherent dignity and delegated authority as God's representatives. To murder a human is thus a direct affront to God Himself, a defacement of His own representation in creation.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed": This first section establishes a binding legal precedent, decreeing the consequence for the capital offense of murder. It sets forth a proportional and authoritative response, marking the inception of ordered human justice systems.
- "for God made man in His own image": This second section provides the theological justification for the severe penalty. The sacredness and immense value of human life, derived from its creation in God's image, is the ultimate rationale for the demand that such a life must be defended with the ultimate earthly penalty.
Genesis 9 6 Bonus section
This verse marks a crucial transition from God's direct intervention in dealing with sin (as seen in the Flood or Cain's banishment) to the establishment of human governance as His instrument for upholding justice in a fallen world. The universal nature of this command in the Noahic covenant implies that all human societies are held accountable to this divine standard for the sanctity of life, regardless of their specific cultural or legal systems. The prohibition is not merely against taking life, but against "shedding blood," implying violent and unjust destruction of life, differentiating it from accidental death or divinely sanctioned killing.
Genesis 9 6 Commentary
Genesis 9:6 is a foundational legal and theological statement. It institutes capital punishment for murder, grounding this command not in arbitrary retribution but in the sacred value of human life as bearing the very image of God (Imago Dei). This makes murder a crime against humanity and, more significantly, a direct offense against God the Creator. The command "by man shall his blood be shed" delegates the administration of this justice from God directly to human governmental authorities, signifying God's establishment of civil order and His demand for justice in society to protect the inherent dignity of all humanity. This principle ensures accountability for the gravest offense and acts as a deterrent, reflecting God's absolute regard for human life.