Exodus 20:13 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

Thou shalt not kill.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

You must not murder.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is commanding his people not to take another person's life unlawfully.

📚 Historical Context

This commandment was given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai as part of the Ten Commandments, which formed the foundation of the covenant between God and the Israelites after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. At that time, the Israelites were establishing a new society in the wilderness, and this law addressed the prevalence of violence in ancient Near Eastern cultures by prohibiting murder. It emphasized God's standard of justice and the sanctity of human life as created in His image.

Explore Similar Verses

Numbers 35:21

Or if someone hits another person with their hand out of hatred, and that person dies, then the one who struck the fatal blow must be put to death because he is a murderer. The family member seeking justice for the victim's blood may kill the murderer when he finds him.

Numbers 35:16

If someone strikes another person with an iron weapon and kills them, that person is a murderer. The murderer must be put to death.

1 John 3:15

Anyone who hates their brother or sister is basically a murderer in their heart. And you already know that murderers don't have eternal life living in them.

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📚 Historical Context

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