I’ve tried many time to explain this… kill and murder at one time had the same meaning…
When dealing with the Hebrew language there are a plethora of words to use for kill, in the 10 Commandments the word used is “tirtsach” which roughly means to kill without justification and done through premeditation. But other words used in the Torah for killing is “nakah” this is where you kill someone through an unjustified action but it was not your intention. Example, you get in a fist fight with your neighbor, you punch him, he falls and busts his head on the pavement. Next comes “gatal” which is seen when you kill someone in a justified action but there death was not your intention. Example, you beat your slave and they die, you were completely in your right to beat them, but you still killed them and so you will be punished but most likely get atonement through a sacrifice (another word for kill “zabach”) or really something minor. Then you have “tabach” this is the big one, this is when you lay waste to an entire nation, you kill them all. Then there is “harag” which is the term mostly seen when you justifiably slay someone.
In the Bible, killing is the act of taking a life, while murder is the unlawful taking of a life. The Bible allows killing in certain circumstances, such as self-defense, but forbids murder.
Explanation
Killing
A general term that can be lawful or unlawful. For example, a driver accidentally killing a pedestrian is not considered murder.
Examples of justified killing
Killing in self-defense
Killing to save an innocent person from imminent danger
Killing in combat during a war
Execution of murderers by a state
Bible verses
Exodus 22:2 permits killing in self-defense.
Genesis 9:6 states that capital punishment is a commandment from God to Noah after the flood.
Related concepts
The difference between killing and murder is also a legal distinction. The distinction between legal and illegal use of deadly force is based on motive, intent, and justification.
In your examples of Biblical Passages if you look at the Hebrew text the words for kill and murder used in the Numbers passages are quite different than the word used in Exodus 20:13 which is “tirtsach” which is the same word used in the 10 Commandments.
I think you are getting a little caught up in our 21th century mentality and trying to apply it to a Bronze Age people. For Jews living during this time the concept equality was not a thing, women were not equal to men, slaves were not equal to women, and foreigners were not equal to slaves. If I were to intentionally kill my Jewish neighbor or a member of his family the penalty might of been death, but not always. King David absolutely committed “tirtsach” and was not killed. If I killed my Jewish neighbors slave or a foreigner under his roof, it would not come to “tirtsach”.
I am more concerned with the difference between killing and murder. To me it is all about morals and conscience. What is it about for you?
It’s the dilemma of consequence versus outcome. I lack faith in the justice system and at my age I no longer worry about about being imprisoned or executed. If anything I view it as a book reading vacation before death. But rest assured anyone I put into a hole, deserved to be there.
And before the USCCA hired Insurance Lawyers lose their crap over that response, I most certainly would not be calling them if I were arrested for taking the law into my hands. There is no fine line between defense and taking the law into ones own hands.
Lot’s of interesting points, some of which I agree with. Sometimes the truth is not easy to accept.
You had me, until the proposal I move to China or Russia. To me, personally, like saying Mr. Cody Lundin’s toes are soft and supple. I’d be afraid a team would snatch me out of my bed at night.
