Gen 9:6: A Comparative Study Of Bloodshed In Bible And Talmud -- By: James E. Priest

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 31:2 (Jun 1988)
Article: Gen 9:6: A Comparative Study Of Bloodshed In Bible And Talmud
Author: James E. Priest


Gen 9:6: A Comparative Study Of Bloodshed In Bible And Talmud

James E. Priest*

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image” (Gen 9:6 RSV).1 Nowhere in the Bible is the requirement of the death penalty more forcefully stated. Nowhere in the Bible is the principle of “measure for measure” more clearly enunciated. Therefore it is logical and profitable to analyze the broad ramifications of Gen 9:62 for ethical and judicial principles with respect to this kind of punishment.

I. Ethical Considerations

The ethical considerations for deterrent to murder center around the Biblical description of the relationship of God to man. Man is made in the image of God (Gen 1:27). The life with which man was endowed by God (2:7) was identified with man’s blood (Lev 17:14). Therefore the phrase “sheds the blood of man” (Gen 9:6) is equivalent to “takes the life of man.” And since life is identified as the gift of God, the shedding of man’s blood—that is, the taking of man’s life—is considered not only an irreparable injustice against man but also an outrage against God himself.3

II. Universal Application

It is not surprising, then, to note that the Biblical declaration of retribution against the murderer is of universal application. The death penalty for murder was not enunciated merely because murder is a horrible social crime, although no doubt that would have been sufficient reason, but because murder is seen as striking at that very likeness of God with which man is stamped.

*James Priest is lecturer in law and religion at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Thus the pre-Mosaic pronouncement of Gen 9:6 applied to all. The outraged reaction of God against the first murder was very personal: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” (4:10–11). The anger of God against the shedder of blood is pictured as a timeless, universal, personal response on his part. Just as the Biblical narrat...

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