10C's #6 Murder, part b
You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
Here is a technical note from the NET
The difficulties lie in the nuances. Some of the nuances are teased out in Numbers 35:16-34. Accidental killing, manslaughter, results in exile to the city of refuge but is not a capital offense and is protected from legal revenge killing. What a mess. Intent discriminates the two. In Numbers it is described as hostility or enmity (v.22).
Jesus elaborates on this in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21, 22
According to Jesus, none of us who have been angry at someone else are more innocent than murderers. He brings it close to home, literally. Families are places especially ripe for anger. My brother and I used to beat each other up daily. There was alot of anger in our relationship. For what it's worth, we are great friends now. Jesus isn't calling anger or outbursts of insults "murder," but he is saying that anger and words do as much violence as sticks and stones. The first victim of the violence is the perpetrator. Anger cripples the soul. Outbursts of rage are often half-truths that weave a corrupted perception of reality by both the accuser and the receiver which can leave both in need of healing.
Here is a technical note from the NET
The verb רָצַח (ratsakh) refers to the premeditated or accidental taking of the life of another human being; it includes any unauthorized killing (it is used for the punishment of a murderer, but that would not be included in the prohibition). This commandment teaches the sanctity of all human life. See J. H. Yoder, ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’,” Int 34 (1980): 394-99; and A. Phillips, “Another Look at Murder,” JJS 28 (1977): 105-26.
The difficulties lie in the nuances. Some of the nuances are teased out in Numbers 35:16-34. Accidental killing, manslaughter, results in exile to the city of refuge but is not a capital offense and is protected from legal revenge killing. What a mess. Intent discriminates the two. In Numbers it is described as hostility or enmity (v.22).
Jesus elaborates on this in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:21, 22
Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire. (ASV)
According to Jesus, none of us who have been angry at someone else are more innocent than murderers. He brings it close to home, literally. Families are places especially ripe for anger. My brother and I used to beat each other up daily. There was alot of anger in our relationship. For what it's worth, we are great friends now. Jesus isn't calling anger or outbursts of insults "murder," but he is saying that anger and words do as much violence as sticks and stones. The first victim of the violence is the perpetrator. Anger cripples the soul. Outbursts of rage are often half-truths that weave a corrupted perception of reality by both the accuser and the receiver which can leave both in need of healing.
Comments