"You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

Continuing our consideration of when killing is not murder, unintentional killing is not necessarily murder. Generally, to be considered murder as defined by scripture, killing must be intentional. “Malice aforethought,” is a technical term that describes taking a life deliberately, or taking a life while deliberately committing a crime. Such cases are murder and condemned by the sixth commandment.

In contrast, when a life is lost accidentally, it is generally considered manslaughter, and not murder requiring capital punishment. God’s Old Testament law had a provision—for those who unintentionally took a human life—to be protected from the death penalty. They were to flee to one of several “Cities of Refuge” where they were to remain until the current high priest died, after which they could return to their homes (Deuteronomy 19).

The death penalty is required for taking a human life in Genesis 9:6.

"Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” Genesis 9:6

The reason is also stated in the verse: because human beings are image bearers of God.

How is the death penalty to be carried out? Next time…