Bible Strands
Exodus 20:13
You shall not murder.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses the assembled Israelites at Sinai, delivering the Decalogue as the covenant framework for their life in the promised land.
The words — The root רָצַח (raṣaḥ) specifically denotes unlawful killing, distinguishing this prohibition from other Hebrew terms for slaying in war or execution.
The thread — The command reappears in Deuteronomy 5:17 and is cited by Paul in Romans 13:9 as part of the law fulfilled by love; Genesis 9:5 establishes the underlying principle that shed blood demands accounting.
Why it lands — It is a bare prohibition with no conditional clause, setting an absolute floor: you do not take another's life unlawfully.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou shalt not kill.
Cross-references
- Romans 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Deuteronomy 5:17 You shall not murder.
- Genesis 9:5 And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man:
- Exodus 21:14 But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.
- Matthew 5:21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
- Leviticus 24:21 Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death.
- Matthew 19:18 “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
- James 2:11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
- 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.
- Exodus 21:20 If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.