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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/02_Exo_20_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:13 - The Ten Commandments" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You shall not murder." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm" title="Exodus 20:12">◄</a> Exodus 20:13 <a href="/exodus/20-14.htm" title="Exodus 20:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do not murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt do no murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not commit murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to commit murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You shall not murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Do not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not murder. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not kill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5041" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Ten Commandments</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: tir·ṣå̄ḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">murder.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>You shall not commit adultery.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-11.htm">James 2:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Matthew 19:18</a></span><br />“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Mark 10:19</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-20.htm">Luke 18:20</a></span><br />You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-17.htm">Deuteronomy 5:17</a></span><br />You shall not murder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17</a></span><br />And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30-31</a></span><br />If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. / You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-17</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a></span><br />Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Hosea 4:2</a></span><br />Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not kill.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14,20,29</a></b></br> But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8-23</a></b></br> And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5,6</a></b></br> And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/17-3.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">Murder</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/numbers/35-12.htm">Murder</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You shall not murder.</b><br>This commandment is part of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is a fundamental moral law that underscores the sanctity of human life, which is created in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>). The Hebrew word used here, "ratsach," specifically refers to unlawful killing, distinguishing it from killing in war or capital punishment, which were permitted under certain circumstances in the Old Testament (<a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19-21</a>).<br><br>In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, this commandment served to protect the community by establishing a legal and moral framework that valued life and discouraged acts of violence. The prohibition against murder is not only a legal directive but also a moral one, reflecting God's character as the giver of life.<br><br>This commandment is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus expands on its meaning in the Sermon on the Mount. In <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a>, Jesus teaches that even harboring anger or hatred towards another person is akin to murder, emphasizing the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.<br><br>The commandment also connects to the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to uphold justice and protect the innocent (<a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a>). The prohibition against murder is a call to respect and preserve life, aligning with the prophetic vision of a world where peace and justice reign (<a href="/isaiah/2-4.htm">Isaiah 2:4</a>).<br><br>In typology, this commandment points to Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate respect for life. As the Good Shepherd, He lays down His life for His sheep (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>), offering redemption and eternal life to humanity. Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection affirm the value of life and provide the means for reconciliation with God and others.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment "You shall not murder."<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and received the Law as a covenant with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_life.htm">Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>Human life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This commandment underscores the value God places on life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_condition.htm">Heart Condition</a></b><br>Jesus teaches that the root of murder is found in the heart. Anger and hatred are serious issues that need to be addressed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_relationships.htm">Community and Relationships</a></b><br>This commandment calls us to live in peace and harmony with others, promoting reconciliation and forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legal_and_moral_implications.htm">Legal and Moral Implications</a></b><br>While the commandment has legal implications, it also challenges us to consider our moral responsibilities towards others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_and_dignity.htm">Respect and Dignity</a></b><br>We are called to respect and uphold the dignity of every person, recognizing their worth as God's creation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_stoning_contradict_'do_not_kill'.htm">Does the prescribed stoning for blasphemy (Leviticus 24:14) contradict the Sixth Commandment against killing (Exodus 20:13)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_say_'kill'_or_'murder'.htm">Does the Bible say "kill" or "murder"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_abortion_and_miscarriage_differ.htm">How do abortion and miscarriage differ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_has_the_bible_shaped_society.htm">How has the Bible shaped cultural and societal norms?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not kill.</span>--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., <span class= "ital">Pol. i.</span> 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" (<a href="/genesis/4-15.htm" title="And the LORD said to him, Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.">Genesis 4:15</a>), He marked thereby His abhorrence of the murderer. The "seven precepts of Noah" included one which distinctly forbade the taking of human life (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm" title="Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.">Genesis 9:6</a>). 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 (<a href="/exodus/21-13.htm" title="And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee.">Exodus 21:13</a>), death by misadventure (<a href="/numbers/35-23.htm" title="Or with any stone, with which a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it on him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:">Numbers 35:23</a>), and justifiable homicide (<a href="/exodus/22-2.htm" title="If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.">Exodus 22:2</a>). 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt not kill</span>. Here again is a moral precept included in all codes, and placed by all in a prominent position. Our first duty towards our neighbour is to respect his life. When Cain slew Abel, he could scarcely have known what he was doing; yet a terrible punishment was awarded him for his transgression (<a href="/genesis/4-11.htm">Genesis 4:11-14</a>). 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" (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>). In the world that followed the flood, all races of men had the tradition that only blood could expiate blood. 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. 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. The next of kin was the recognised" avenger," upon whom it devolved to hunt out the murderer and punish him. Here the sin is simply and emphatically denounced, the brevity of the precept increasing its force. The Israelites are told that to take life is a crime. God forbids it. As usual, no exceptions are made. Exceptions appear later on (<a href="/numbers/35-22.htm">Numbers 35:22-25</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/4-42.htm">Deuteronomy 4:42</a>; etc.); but the first thing is to establish the principle. Human life is sacred. Man is not to shed the blood of his fellow-man. If he does, of his hand will the life taken surely be required. The casuistic question whether suicide is forbidden under this precept, probably did not occur to the legislator or to the Hebrews of his time. Neither the Hebrews, nor the Egyptians, among whom they had so long lived, were addicted to suicide; and it is a general rule that laws are not made excepting against tolerably well-known crimes. It has been argued that angry thoughts and insulting words were forbidden by it on the strength of our Lord's comment in the Sermon on the Mount (<a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21, 22</a>). But it seems to the present writer that in <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-47</a> our Lord is not so much explaining the Jewish law as amplifying it on his own authority - note the repetition of the phrase, "But I say unto you" - and making it mean to Christians what it had not meant to Jews. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥֖א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">murder.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֿרְצָֽ֖ח׃</span> <span class="translit">(trə·ṣāḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>