Exodus 20:13
Exodus 20:13 in Multiple Translations
You shall not murder.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not kill.
Do not put anyone to death without cause.
You must not murder.
Thou shalt not kill.
'Thou dost not murder.
“You shall not murder.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not kill.
Do not murder anyone.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 20:13
BAB
Word Study
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Exodus 20:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹ֖א
תִּרְצָֽח
לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִּרְצָֽח
râtsach
H7523
to murder
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 20:13
לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִּרְצָֽח
râtsach
H7523
"to murder"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to murder or kill someone, like Cain killing Abel in Genesis. It emphasizes the intentional act of taking a human life. This word is about premeditated killing.
Definition: 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a)(Qal) to murder, slay 1a1) premeditated 1a2) accidental 1a3) as avenger 1a4) slayer (intentional) (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be slain 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to murder, assassinate 1c2) murderer, assassin (participle) (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be killed
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: put to death, kill, (man-) slay(-er), murder(-er). See also: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:26; Psalms 62:4.
Study Notes — Exodus 20:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 20:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
- Sermons on Exodus 20:13
Context — The Ten Commandments
11For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
13You shall not murder.
14You shall not commit adultery. 15You shall not steal.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 13:9 | 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.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 5:17 | You shall not murder. |
| 3 | Genesis 9:5–6 | And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. |
| 4 | Exodus 21:14 | But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:21–22 | You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 19:11–13 | If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you. |
| 7 | Matthew 19:18 | “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, |
| 8 | Leviticus 24:21 | Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death. |
| 9 | James 2:11 | For 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. |
| 10 | 1 John 3:12–15 | Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. |
Exodus 20:13 Summary
Exodus 20:13 teaches us that we should not take the life of another person, because every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and has inherent value and worth. This commandment is not just about avoiding physical harm, but also about treating others with kindness, respect, and love, as Jesus taught in Matthew 22:39. By following this commandment, we can help create a safer and more loving community, where everyone can thrive and live in peace (Psalm 34:14). By choosing not to murder, we are choosing to uphold the value of human life and to trust in God's sovereignty and justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to murder in the context of Exodus 20:13?
In this verse, murder refers to the intentional and premeditated taking of an innocent human life, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16, where Cain's actions were considered murder by God.
Is this commandment only applicable to physical killing?
While the primary focus of Exodus 20:13 is on physical killing, Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:21-22 that anger and hatred towards others can also be a form of murder, highlighting the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18.
How does this commandment relate to self-defense or war?
The Bible teaches that there are circumstances where taking a life may be justified, such as in self-defense, as seen in Exodus 22:2-3, or in a just war, as described in Deuteronomy 20:1-20, but these situations do not negate the importance of respecting human life and avoiding unnecessary violence.
What is the punishment for murder according to the Bible?
In Numbers 35:30-34, the Bible prescribes the death penalty for those who commit murder, emphasizing the seriousness of this sin and the importance of upholding justice and protecting human life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show respect for human life in my daily interactions with others?
- How can I balance the need to defend myself or others with the commandment not to murder?
- In what ways can I promote a culture of life and peace in my community, reflecting the values of Exodus 20:13?
- What are some practical steps I can take to reduce conflict and promote reconciliation in my relationships, as taught in Matthew 5:9?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill. Not meaning any sort of creatures, for there are some to be killed for the food and nourishment of men, and others for their safety and preservation; but rational creatures, men,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not kill. 'Killing' is not what is prohibited, otherwise the judicial infliction of capital punishment, as well as the slaughter of an enemy in defensive war, would be
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
To wit any man or woman, without authority, and without just cause; which exception must necessarily be understood, because many other scriptures command the magistrate to kill great offenders. And this prohibition being delivered by God, who made, and searcheth, and commands men’ s hearts, must be extended not only to the external act of killing, but to all motions of the heart or tongue which tend that way, as anger, hatred, envy, malice, strife, blows, and the challenges of duelists; which is clearly manifest by comparing this with other scriptures, as , &c. And here, as in the rest, is commanded the contrary duty of preserving tie lives of our neighbours as much as lies in our power.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.Ver. 13. Thou shalt not kill.] A crying sin. For the which God makes inquisition, and strangely brings it to light. It was a saying of King James, that if God did allow him to kill a man, he would think God did not love him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
(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. And of these the first is that of respecting their life. 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. i. 1). All written codes forbid murder; and in communities which are without written codes an unwritten law condemns it. When God “set a mark upon Cain” (Genesis 4:15), He marked thereby His abhorrence of the murderer. The “seven precepts of Noah” included one which distinctly forbade the taking of human life (Genesis 9:6). 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 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). 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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT Against murder and cruelty. Verse 13. Thou shalt not kill.] This commandment, which is general, prohibits murder of every kind. 1. All actions by which the lives of our fellow creatures may be abridged. 2. All wars for extending empire, commerce, c. 3. All sanguinary laws, by the operation of which the lives of men may be taken away for offences of comparatively trifling demerit. 4. All bad dispositions which lead men to wish evil to, or meditate mischief against, one another for, says the Scripture, He that hateth his brother in his heart is a murderer. 5. All want of charity to the helpless and distressed; for he who has it in his power to save the life of another by a timely application of succour, food, raiment, c., and does not do it, and the life of the person either falls or is abridged on this account, is in the sight of God a murderer. He who neglects to save life is, according to an incontrovertible maxim in law, the SAME as he who takes it away. 6. All riot and excess, all drunkenness and gluttony, all inactivity and slothfulness, and all superstitious mortifications and self-denials, by which life may be destroyed or shortened all these are point-blank sins against the sixth commandment.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:13
13. The sixth commandment. The sanctity of human life to be upheld (cf. Genesis 9:5-6 P). Here the duty is laid down simply as a Divine command: the human penalty for infringing it is prescribed elsewhere (see on Exodus 21:12). shalt do no murder] AV. had shalt not kill: but the Heb. word implies violent, unauthorised killing. Cf. especially the list of crimes in Hosea 4:2 (where ‘killing’ has been kept), Jeremiah 7:9. The verb in the ptcp. occurs repeatedly in P’s law of homicide in Numbers 35 (RV. always here ‘manslayer’). Comp. the spiritualization of this commandment by our Lord in Matthew 5:21-26.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:13
THE SIXTH , Exodus 20:13. 13. Thou shalt not kill — Better, thou shalt not commit murder.
Sermons on Exodus 20:13
| Sermon | Description | |
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Preaching Prohibition by Billy Sunday | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of truth and the consequences of lying. They emphasize that the United States seems to have lost sight of this, with corruption |
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How to Bring Your Children to Christ by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations about the transformative power of God's word. He emphasizes the importance of having a fear of God and reco |
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(Basics) 14. Maximum or Minimum for the Lord by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the difference between a servant and a son in terms of their mindset and approach to fulfilling their duties. He explains that the old covenan |
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Walking in the Light by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not making excuses for the blood of Jesus and instead accepting the truth of forgiveness through Him. The speaker encourage |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Daniel) ch.1:8-2:35 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of obeying God's commandments, even the seemingly minor ones. He references four passages of scripture that forbid certain act |
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The Ultimate Statistic by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about running a club for kids and distributing candy. He notices the greed and unfairness in the line and decides to give the ca |
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A "Very Good" Marriage by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our needs and having faith in God's ability to meet them. He references the creation story in Genesis, highli |