The Ultimate Act of Enmity

Exodus 20:13

The NIV translation, ‘murder’, goes some distance in answering the question raised when hearing the translation a lot of us grew up hearing: “Thou shalt not kill.” Otherwise we are faced with the difficulty of reconciling the command with the rampant war and capital punishment found in Scripture, although some might say those things also constitute murder, which would be defined as any intentional killing. Even if we were to set that concern aside, we are still faced with the difficulty that the verb used is also used to refer to unintentional killing (e.g. Deuteronomy 4:41-43).

One answer to this is that the verb refers to any killing, whatever the motive or intent, that in its effect is an offense to the community. Another angle is that the shedding of precious life-blood is the essential issue, but then we get right back to the war-in-the-Bible question.

A ready interpretation may be found at Numbers 35:20-21, which speaks of killing out of enmity, deceit, or hatred (Childs, The Book of Exodus). This would back up the NIV translation ‘murder’ in Exodus 20 in the way we normally think of it.

I find this understanding personally helpful. I find myself opposed to abortion, yet deeply troubled when people and organizations characterize as murderers those who perform or support abortions. I also think the pro-life label is unfair, even though I generally support the stand of those who call themselves that. Nothing is to be gained in the discussion necessary on these things by calling people murderers or implying that they are in their hearts against life. If an abortion clinic is bombed and someone is killed, or a doctor who does abortions is shot, that indeed is murder, and no answer to anything.

Prayer:
Lord, let us work toward a unifying understanding of what it is to honour life as a trust from you. Through Christ. Amen.