Category:Murder

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Murder - Willful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Numbers 35:16, Numbers 35:18, Numbers 35:21, Numbers 35:31; Leviticus 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 1 John 3:15). The Mosaic law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Exodus 21:12, Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 19:11, Deuteronomy 19:13; 2 Samuel 17:25; 2 Samuel 20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Numbers 35:19; Deuteronomy 17:6). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (Deuteronomy 21:1). These offenses also were to be punished with death, (1.) striking a parent; (2.) cursing a parent; (3.) kidnapping (Exodus 21:15; Deuteronomy 27:16).