Commandment Six

Exodus 20:13 ““You shall not murder.”

KJV: “Thou shalt not kill.”

1. The verb “KILL” is clearly used to identify the following actions in scripture.

a. Premeditated Murder

- thought out or planned beforehand

b. Involuntary Manslaughter

- done without will or conscious control

- done against someone's will; compulsory

c. Voluntary Manslaughter

- done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

d. Avenge Killing

- inflict harm in return for (an injury or wrong done to oneself or another).

e. Execution

- the carrying out of a sentence of death on a condemned person.

f. Killing in Battle

- engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict.

2. Prohibited killing was between mankind.

a. Animals being killed was permitted

i. For food

ii. For protection

b. We were made in the image of God

Genesis 9:6 ““Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”

Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”

3. A person’s lifespan is determined by God and should never be shortened due to human decisions alone.

a. Killing in Battle

b. Execution

c. Avenge Killing

d. Voluntary Manslaughter

e. Involuntary Manslaughter

f. Premeditated Murder

4. The thoughts of killing someone hold the same consequences as the physical action itself

Matthew 5:21–22 ““You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”