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The translation I use most often doesn't have that commandment. It's more like: You shall not murder.
It's not my definition that matters. My understanding is that there were different words in Hebrew for intentional and unintentional killing, and that it really is more like: "Do not put anyone to death without cause."
You have to take everything into context, but on the whole I think most reasonable people know what murder is.
Why do you ask? Are you non-Christian looking for an argument or are you a seeker of faith attempting to better understand scripture? Or something else?
Well there's plenty of historical and linguistic support for the murder vs kill translation. Sadly I'm a work (shhhh) and don't have my books by my side, but a quick Google search, I'm sure, will get you some good translation descriptions.
Good luck!
In the New Testament, Jesus marveled when a Roman centurion (an officer in charge of one hundred soldiers) approached Him. The centurions response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of authority, as well as his faith in Jesus (Matthew 8:5-13). Jesus did not denounce his career. Many centurions mentioned in the New Testament are praised as Christians, God-fearers, and men of good character (Matthew 8:5; 27:54; Mark 15:39-45; Luke 7:2; 23:47; Acts 10:1; 21:32; 28:16).
One thing you have to love about atheists is their extreme appreciation for the King James Version (KJV) translation. The KJV was translated in the early 17th century using an archaic form of modern English. In the last 400 years, the English language has changed significantly. Unfortunately, the vast majority of those who read the KJV (both believers and unbelievers) are unqualified to know what the text means in many instances because of word meaning changes. In attempting to demonstrate the contradiction of God's commands to Israel and the sixth commandment, atheist cite the KJV translation, "Thou shalt not kill."
However, like English, Hebrew, the language in which most of the Old Testament was written, uses different words for intentional vs. unintentional killing. The verse translated "Thou shalt not kill" in the KJV translation, is translated "You shall not murder"2 in modern translations - because these translations represents the real meaning of the Hebrew text. The Bible in Basic English translates the phrase, "Do not put anyone to death without cause."2 The Hebrew word used here is ratsach,3 which nearly always refers to intentional killing without cause (unless indicated otherwise by context). Hebrew law recognized accidental killing as not punishable. In fact, specific cities were designated as "cities of refuge," so that an unintentional killer could flee to escape retribution.4 The Hebrew word for "kill" in this instance is not ratsach, but nakah, which can refer to either premeditated or unintentional killing, depending upon context.5 Other Hebrew words also can refer to killing.6-8 The punishment for murder was the death sentence.9 However, to be convicted, there needed to be at least two eyewitnesses.10 The Bible also prescribes that people have a right to defend themselves against attack and use deadly force if necessary.11
I guess the first one indicates that Christianity is not against soldiers and therefore war.
Back then the Roman Army was largely paid from the loot gained through conquest, and commanded to conquer to gain territory to enhance the reputation of the commander and of the Emperor.
Modern day war is to gain oil and does wonders usually for the popularity of the President, so I guess that's entirely within the same general area of approval.
so I was puzzled about how they dealt with the commandment 'thou shalt not kill'
and the answer appears to be that it doesn't relate to judicial executions or decisions to go to war, but only to an individual's desire to bump off someone else as in murder.
so you've cleared that up.
Many thanks, I guess the same goes for the Christmas phrase 'Peace on Earth...'
Be careful though, don't confuse the Roman Army with Christianity. Christ had nothing to do the army, he was dealing with individuals. Christians, occupation not withstanding, are subject to the will of and our relationship with Christ. We are to be Christlike and follow him, there have been countless Christians over the centuries that have decided not to serve in the military and even to reject orders based on their faith. In the end, that's the individual's decision and they will have to work out the details with God.
Thanks for your responses so far but I'm lost on this one.
Does God favor going to war or not? I would hope a book as big as the Bible would answer that question.
If it depends on something about the war then what does it depend on?
Many people make the mistake of reading what the Bible says in Exodus 20:13, You shall not kill, and then seeking to apply this command to war. However, the Hebrew word literally means the intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice; murder. God often ordered the Israelites to go to war with other nations (1 Samuel 15:3; Joshua 4:13). God ordered the death penalty for numerous crimes (Exodus 21:12, 15; 22:19; Leviticus 20:11). So, God is not against killing in all circumstances, but only murder. War is never a good thing, but sometimes it is a necessary thing. In a world filled with sinful people (Romans 3:10-18), war is inevitable. Sometimes the only way to keep sinful people from doing great harm to the innocent is by going to war.
It is an error to say that God never supports a war. Jesus is not a pacifist. In a world filled with evil people, sometimes war is necessary to prevent even greater evil. If Hitler had not been defeated by World War II, how many more millions would have been killed? If the American Civil War had not been fought, how much longer would African-Americans have had to suffer as slaves?
War is a terrible thing. Some wars are more just than others, but war is always the result of sin (Romans 3:10-18). At the same time, Ecclesiastes 3:8 declares, There is a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. In a world filled with sin, hatred, and evil (Romans 3:10-18), war is inevitable. Christians should not desire war, but neither are Christians to oppose the government God has placed in authority over them (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:17). The most important thing we can be doing in a time of war is to be praying for godly wisdom for our leaders, praying for the safety of our military, praying for quick resolution to conflicts, and praying for a minimum of casualties among civilians on both sides (Philippians 4:6-7).
I'm afraid I can't really get any kind of rules or logic or guidelines or anything out of this apart from the last line about praying for a minimum of casualties among civilians.
I'm not sure that one is much use either. Did anyone pray before Hiroshima or Nagasaki and note the effect that had on civilian casualties? Most of the casualties died painfully over the following hours or days.
In the American War in Vietnam there were around 3 million civilians killed which may sound like a lot, but just over a million enemy servicemen were killed, so maybe that makes it OK, plus we got the oil in the end.
I guess this leads on to another question - how to know if a war is more just than not having a war when all the media is in full on lie mode?
I'm afraid I can't really get any kind of rules or logic or guidelines or anything out of this apart from the last line about praying for a minimum of casualties among civilians.
I'm not sure that one is much use either. Did anyone pray before Hiroshima or Nagasaki and note the effect that had on civilian casualties? Most of the casualties died painfully over the following hours or days.
In the American War in Vietnam there were around 3 million civilians killed which may sound like a lot, but just over a million enemy servicemen were killed, so maybe that makes it OK, plus we got the oil in the end.
I guess this leads on to another question - how to know if a war is more just than not having a war when all the media is in full on lie mode?
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