The Word “Kill” defined

“You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13 NIV)

“You shall not kill. (Exodus 20:30 RSV)

Two different words in two different translations.

Which one is the correct one?

You may ask, “What does it matter?”

Well, today, our legal system has a well defined meaning for the word “murder” whereas the word “kill” is a much broader category.

So when you use the word “murder” you are implying “malicious intent” and that is bad.

But when you use the word “kill” it could mean ending the life of an animal, or slaying for sacrifice, or unintentionally killing someone, or during war or self defense….

So many nuances for one word.

In my research on the Hebrew words for “kill”, one finds there are a number of different words.

Not everyone is in agreement with what the word used in the ten commandments means .. “rasah” or “ratsach”.

There is agreement that it does not imply the killing of animals so therefore we can conclude that it refers to the killing of human beings.

Okay, then it could read, “You shall not kill another human being”.

But that leaves one with the question of killing during war or during self defense or the death penalty.

Well, when reviewing where this word is used in the Old Testament, it is used in a legal context - murder, manslaughter, homicide, etc. which would then exclude self defense or killing during war.

In a world without euthanasia, the English word “murder” would suffice.

But in this world where societal laws are now saying “killing” of citizens in certain circumstances is legal, the use of the word “murder” is too narrow.

The best meaning would be, “You shall not intentionally kill another human being”.

That includes people who kill out of compassion and caring.

That includes people who kill when requested by the one being killed.

That includes people who kill because they think it the kind and considerate thing to do.

That includes people who kill even though the subject is dying.

Life is sacred… Keep your human hands off..

Morally, physician assisted suicide or physician lethal injection is condemned. It has not place in God’s world.