Is There a Difference Between Thou Shalt Not Kill and Thou Shalt Not Murder?

Question

I guess I am asking this: If there is Thou Shalt Not Kill, why is there war in the bible?

Is it wrong to defend yourself or someone else? What if you kill someone accidentally? What about defending your country?

Answer 1

This answers your question perfectly (you'll have to scroll down to #6):

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Torah/Ten_Cmds/ten_cmds.html

Answer 2

I think the more correct translations read "thou shalt not murder". Should be pretty obvious what that means.

As far as killing, if I am defending my life or the lives of others and it is the only option left, then I would be okay, painful as that is, just like police officers in the line of duty have that right, as well as soldiers in war. Murder, however, is never okay.

Answer 3

Killing is not wrong.
After the flood, God said man could eat meat.
How does one do that without killing?
Murder, on the other hand, is a two-edged sword.
Someone can 'murder' UN-intentionally.
Fooling around and an accident happens.
That's serious.
Even more serious is planning someone's demise based on selfish motive.
That's an offence even today.
There are wars mentioned in the Bible.
However, they are not spoken of in glowing, positive terms.
The Israelites fought wars when they were God's people.
One thing never mentioned is the people of Canaan received warnings to vacate.
All they had to do was go. Cede the land.
When they refused, war was the last option.
The people should have ceded based on Joshua 2:10,11

Answer 4

We should not kill our fellow man, but if there is war, and we are defending our country against attack, and we are not the ones initiating it, otherwise, we only defend, we do not attack, it is forgiven. We are also allowed to defend our families. Lets say someone breaks into your home and attacks you or your kids or wife, or husband, and there is no other way, then we are allowed to do that. The other person started it, and we are not the aggressors. But, we still have to follow the laws of the land. Killing is only ok when we are defending our homes, are lands our spouses and our children. It is only when there is absolute threat on our life, and we have no other option. In that case, the other person, or persons, have made a decision to endanger their own lives, and try to take the lives or freedoms from another human being. They are making their own choice to possibly die. That is what I believe.

There is war in the bible because other nations attacked God's chosen people. They were commanded to NEVER attack. The only acception I can think of is when moses took his people into the wilderness, and when they came to the promised land, he told them to conquer the land, and to rid it of the inhaditants because they were unrighteos. (they didnt listen by the way, not fully) I hope this helps you to draw your own conclusions.

Answer 5

The literal translation of the commandment that people say Thou shalt not kill is ...NO MURDER. Murder is the shedding of innocent blood, it has nothing to do with war or capital punishment for crimes.

Answer 6

In the 10 commandments it means murder. There is a difference. It is not wrong to defend your life, family, country etc. Sometimes in defense killing is a necessary thing. Murder has evil intent. God is concerned about the human heart. His command not to murder is for our own good as well as those around us.

Answer 7

yes there is a difference.
Murder is the appropriate translatlation for the ten commandments.
but there is always a time of war, and a time to kill. !!!
in war you do not murder someone you kill the opponent or be killed.
there is a whole book of rules and laws concerning the righteousness of War.
for the most part, war is eliminating the enemy of righteousness and mortal kombat has some intriguing aspects to how righteousness will always prevail

Answer 8

The commandment is 'thou shalt not murder'. Justified killing, as in self defense, wartime, court order are permissible under those very restrictive circumstances.

Answer 9

The commandment is meant to be part of a code of ethics and morality.
Wars in the bible are historical and often God led. There will continue to be wars, death, and suffering until the Lord returns. The new heaven and the new earth are promised to those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. In those places will be peace and joy.
Merry CHRISTmas.

Answer 10

You can kill someone accidentally by losing control of your car. Murder means planning to go out and end a life. Murder is always killing but killing isn't always murder.

Answer 11

The commandment is not to commit (premeditated) murder. In some extreme cases, the bible permits killing - such as war and commission of certain transgressions