![]() The next of kin was the recognised" avenger," upon whom it devolved to hunt out the murderer and punish him. Elsewhere, among tribes and races which had not vet coalesced into states, the law of blood-revenge obtained, and the inquisition for blood became a private affair. In the few places where there was an organised government, and a systematic administration of justice, the State acted on the principle, and punished the murderer capitally. In the world that followed the flood, all races of men had the tradition that only blood could expiate blood. After the flood, the solemn declaration was made, which thenceforward became a universal law among mankind - "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" ( Genesis 9:6). ![]() When Cain slew Abel, he could scarcely have known what he was doing yet a terrible punishment was awarded him for his transgression ( Genesis 4:11-14). Our first duty towards our neighbour is to respect his life. ![]() Here again is a moral precept included in all codes, and placed by all in a prominent position. Before, however, it made these distinctions, the great principle of the sanctity of human life required to be broadly laid down and so the law was given in the widest possible terms-"Thou shalt not kill." Exceptions were reserved till later. The Mosaic legislation on the point was differenced from others principally by the care it took to distinguish between actual murder, manslaughter ( Exodus 21:13), death by misadventure ( Numbers 35:23), and justifiable homicide ( Exodus 22:2). In all countries and among all peoples, a natural instinct or an unwritten tradition placed murder among the worst of crimes, and made its penalty death. The "seven precepts of Noah" included one which distinctly forbade the taking of human life ( Genesis 9:6). When God "set a mark upon Cain" ( Genesis 4:15), He marked thereby His abhorrence of the murderer. All written codes forbid murder and in communities which are without written codes an unwritten law condemns it. The security of life is the primary object of government and it has been well said that men originally coalesced into States with a view to self-preservation (Arist., Pol. And of these the first is that of respecting their life. For I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me.Įllicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) Thou shalt not kill.-From the peculiar duties owed by children to their parents, the Divine legislator went on to lay down those general duties which men owe to their fellow-men. ![]() Then Lamech said to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice wives of Lamech, listen to my speech. The commandments "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: "Love your neighbor as yourself."įor He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.'" You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.'" Jesus answered, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder' and 'Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' ![]() Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. “You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide). ![]()
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