Leviticus 24:17

And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

And he {H376} that killeth {H5221} any {H5315} man {H120} shall surely {H4191} be put to death {H4191}.

"'Anyone who strikes another person and kills him must be put to death.

And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.

And he that smiteth any man mortally shall surely be put to death.

Commentary

Leviticus 24:17 is a foundational verse in the Mosaic Law concerning the sanctity of human life and the severe penalty for its violation. It states simply and unequivocally that taking a human life warrants the ultimate punishment.

Context

This verse is part of a series of laws and judgments given to Moses for the people of Israel, immediately following the blasphemer's judgment in the same chapter. Leviticus 24 outlines various regulations for the tabernacle service, including the lamp and showbread, and then transitions into a legal section. The preceding verses deal with personal injury, establishing a principle of proportionate justice—often summarized as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" (Leviticus 24:20). Verse 17 specifically addresses murder, underscoring its unique gravity among offenses, distinguishing it from lesser injuries by demanding life for life.

Key Themes

  • Sanctity of Human Life: The primary theme is the profound value God places on human life. Made in God's image, humans possess inherent dignity, making the taking of a life an offense not just against another person, but against God Himself. This principle echoes the Noahic covenant in Genesis 9:6.
  • Divine Justice: God is a righteous judge who demands justice. This law reflects His character, demonstrating that murder is a heinous crime that cannot go unpunished. The penalty serves as a just retribution for the ultimate offense.
  • Deterrence: The severity of the punishment—death—was intended to serve as a powerful deterrent against murder within the Israelite community, thereby maintaining social order and protecting innocent lives.
  • Exclusivity of Punishment: The law establishes that only the state (through its appointed judges) has the authority to exact this punishment, preventing cycles of personal vengeance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "shall surely be put to death" is mut yumat (מוֹת יוּמָת), which literally translates to "dying he shall die." This idiomatic construction is a common way in Hebrew to express absolute certainty and inevitability of an action or consequence. It emphasizes that there is no alternative outcome for one found guilty of murder under this law.

Practical Application and Reflection

While modern legal systems vary, the underlying principles of Leviticus 24:17 remain profoundly relevant. The verse underscores the enduring biblical conviction that human life is sacred and worthy of the utmost protection. For believers today, it reinforces:

  • The Value of Life: Every human life, from conception to natural death, holds immense value because it is created by God. This impacts contemporary discussions on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment.
  • The Importance of Justice: Societies are called to establish just laws that protect the innocent and punish those who commit grave offenses, reflecting God's own character of justice. Governments, in a sense, bear the sword of God's justice (Romans 13:4).
  • The Seriousness of Sin: Murder, in its essence, is a rebellion against the Creator. Jesus expanded on this, teaching that even anger and hatred in the heart are akin to murder in God's sight (Matthew 5:21-22), highlighting the spiritual root of physical violence.

This verse from Leviticus serves as a stark reminder of the sanctity of life and the severe consequences of violating God's foundational law.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 9:5

    And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

  • Genesis 9:6

    Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

  • Deuteronomy 19:11

    But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

  • Deuteronomy 19:12

    Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

  • Deuteronomy 27:24

    Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Numbers 35:30

    Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person [to cause him] to die.

  • Numbers 35:31

    Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which [is] guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.
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