Thou shalt not kill, A child’s age old question.

Just people or all things?

The phrase “Thou shalt not kill” is a well-known commandment from the Bible, specifically found in the Old Testament. It is part of the Ten Commandments.

The commandments are  listed in two primary places:

1. Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17. In the King James Version (KJV), the wording is exactly “Thou shalt not kill.”

Here’s the context:
Exodus 20:13 (KJV): “Thou shalt not kill.”
This is part of the commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, intended as foundational moral laws for the Israelites.

2. Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV): “Thou shalt not kill.”
This restates the same commandment as Moses recounts the laws to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.

Meaning and Interpretation

The Hebrew word used here is “ratsach” (רָצַח), which most scholars interpret as referring specifically to unlawful or intentional killing, such as murder, rather than all forms of killing (e.g., in war, self-defense, or judicial punishment, which are addressed differently elsewhere in the Bible). Modern translations often render it as “You shall not murder” to reflect this nuance:

Exodus 20:13 (NIV): “You shall not murder.”

Deuteronomy 5:17 (NIV): “You shall not murder.”

The commandment is part of a broader ethical framework emphasizing the sanctity of human life, rooted in the belief that humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). It’s not an absolute prohibition on all taking of life, as the Old Testament also prescribes capital punishment for certain crimes (e.g., Exodus 21:12) and permits killing in war under God’s direction.