Bible Dictionaries
Murder

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Numbers 35:16,18,21,31; 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 9:5,6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12,15 ). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Exodus 21:12,14; Deuteronomy 19:11,13; 2 Samuel 17:25; 20:10 ). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Numbers 35:19-30; Deuteronomy 17:6-12 ). 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 21:1-9 ). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Exodus 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 27:16 ).