Which commandment is thou shalt not kill?
The phrase “Thou shalt not kill” is most commonly associated with the sixth commandment. In the traditional arrangement as found in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 (King James Version), it reads simply, “Thou shalt not kill.”
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are foundational ethical and spiritual instructions delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments, recorded in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, have shaped the moral framework of Judaism, Christianity, and, by extension, much of Western civilization. Among them, the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” stands out for its universal relevance and enduring debate. But where exactly does this commandment appear in the biblical list, and what is its deeper meaning within its original context?
The Sixth Commandment: “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
The phrase “Thou shalt not kill” is most commonly associated with the sixth commandment. In the traditional arrangement as found in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 (King James Version), it reads simply, “Thou shalt not kill.” In most Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic traditions, this is recognized as the sixth commandment, though the numbering can vary slightly depending on denominational tradition.
In the Jewish enumeration, this commandment is also sixth, while some Christian traditions, such as Roman Catholic and Lutheran, list it as the fifth. Despite these variations, its message remains central: God forbids the unjust taking of human life.
The Meaning of “Kill” Versus “Murder”
A closer look at the original Hebrew text reveals that the verb used is “ratsach,” which more accurately translates to “murder” rather than the more general “kill.” Modern translations, such as the New International Version (NIV), render the commandment as “You shall not murder,” clarifying that the prohibition specifically targets the unlawful or immoral taking of human life, rather than all forms of killing.
This distinction is significant. The Old Testament law contains provisions for capital punishment, warfare, and self-defense, circumstances under which taking life was not considered murder by ancient Israelite society. Therefore, the commandment is best understood as a prohibition against premeditated, malicious, or unjust killing—acts that violate the sanctity of human life created in God’s image.
The Commandment in Context
The sixth commandment is situated among other commands that safeguard relationships and promote social harmony—honoring parents, refraining from adultery, theft, and bearing false witness. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” thus serves as a cornerstone for the value of life in biblical ethics.
By forbidding murder, the commandment upholds the inherent dignity and worth of every person. It acknowledges that life is sacred, belonging ultimately to God. According to Genesis 1:27, humanity is made in the image of God (imago Dei), and to take a life unjustly is to assault the divine image and violate God’s order.
The Teaching of Jesus and the New Testament
Jesus reaffirmed and deepened the meaning of this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:21-22, He declared, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Here, Jesus reveals that the root of murder lies in the heart—anger, hatred, and contempt. He calls His followers to a higher standard, one that not only refrains from outward violence but also seeks reconciliation, peace, and love.
The apostle John echoes this expansion in 1 John 3:15: “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” The New Testament thus interprets the commandment not just as a rule of law, but as a call to honor and protect life at all levels—through our actions, words, and even thoughts.
Sacredness in the Everyday: Reflecting on the Sixth Commandment
There are few words as stark and arresting as “Thou shalt not kill.” Simple, direct, yet endlessly profound, this commandment—delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai—has echoed through centuries, shaping not only religious law but also the conscience of entire civilizations.
Growing up, I remember hearing these words recited in church and seeing them etched above courthouse doors, their gravity both sobering and strangely distant. It is only as I have reflected more deeply on the sixth commandment that its true depth and relevance have come into focus for me.
At first glance, the commandment seems clear: do not take another human life. But as I learned, the Hebrew word “ratsach” is more narrowly focused than the old English “kill.” It means “murder”—the deliberate, unjust taking of life. This distinction matters. The ancient Israelites, and the Bible itself, recognized the tragic complexity of life and death: self-defense, war, and capital punishment were treated differently than premeditated, malicious acts. The commandment, then, is not a blanket prohibition on all killing, but a forceful safeguard against murder—an act that tears at the fabric of community and defaces the image of God in humanity.
For me, the heart of this commandment is reverence for life. The Genesis account insists that every person carries the imago Dei—the image of God. I am reminded that each encounter, even with those I might dislike or ignore, is an encounter with someone sacred. The commandment presses me to see beyond my own judgments and frustrations, to recognize the profound dignity in every human being. It is a call to humility, to honor life as a gift entrusted by God.
Yet, Jesus takes the commandment further. In the Sermon on the Mount, He links murder not only to external actions but to the inner landscape of the heart. Anger, contempt, and hatred are roots from which violence springs. This teaching is both unsettling and liberating. Unsettling, because it forces me to face the ways I may harm others not only outwardly but through words, attitudes, and grudges. Liberating, because it points me toward a higher calling—the pursuit of peace and reconciliation, not just the avoidance of physical harm.
How often do I let anger simmer, or speak harshly, or nurse resentment? According to Jesus, this too is a form of violence, a betrayal of the commandment’s spirit. The New Testament invites me to examine my heart, to uproot bitterness before it bears destructive fruit, and to seek forgiveness and restoration in my relationships.
This reflection leads me to see the sixth commandment not just as a legalistic rule, but as an invitation to a way of life. It asks me not only to abstain from harming others, but to actively protect and cherish the life in those around me. It calls me to become, in small and ordinary ways, a builder of peace—a reconciler, a healer, a person who honors the sacredness of every life.
Today, in a world still marred by violence, injustice, and disregard for life, the sixth commandment remains profoundly relevant. It challenges me to resist the currents of anger and dehumanization that run through society and to remember that, before God, every life matters. It is a call not only to refrain from harm but to be an agent of life-giving love—reflecting, however imperfectly, the heart of the One who gave the commandment in the first place.