The sixthcommandment. 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.

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