7346 death penalty

The lawful taking of human life by the civil or military authorities. The death penalty was inflicted by all nations in the ancient world. In Israel, the main method was stoning, amongst other nations, other forms such as hanging, beheading and crucifixion were used.

The ultimate authority for the death penalty lies with God alone

Examples of God taking human life Ex 12:29 See also Nu 16:35; 1Sa 6:19; 1Sa 25:38; 2Sa 6:7 pp 1Ch 13:10; Ac 12:23

God may delegate his authority to human beings Ge 9:6; Jos 7:15,25; 1Sa 15:3,32-33

The role of the civil authority Ac 25:11; Ro 13:1,3-4

Causes of the death penalty

Sacrilege Ex 19:12-13

Serious abuse of one’s parents Ex 21:15,17; Dt 21:18-21; Mt 15:4

Adultery Lev 20:10; Dt 22:22; Jn 8:5

Blasphemy Lev 24:16; Jn 19:7

Idolatry Lev 20:2

Immorality Lev 20:11-16; Dt 22:21-25

Kidnapping Ex 21:16

Murder Ge 9:6; Ex 21:12

Rebellion Dt 17:12

Sabbath-breaking Ex 31:14-15; Nu 15:32-36

Witchcraft Lev 20:27; 1Sa 28:9

Rape of a betrothed virgin Dt 22:23-29

Bestiality Ex 22:19

Child sacrifice Lev 20:2-5

Means of executing the death penalty

Beheading Ge 40:19; Mk 6:27 pp Mt 14:9-10

Burning Da 3:6

Crucifixion Mt 27:26 pp Mk 15:15 pp Jn 19:16; Mt 27:38 pp Mk 15:27 pp Lk 23:33

Hanging Ge 40:22; Dt 21:22-23; Ac 5:30; Gal 3:13

Impalement Ezr 6:11; Est 2:23 fn; Est 5:14; Est 7:9-10; Est 9:12-13

Stoning Lev 24:23; Dt 21:18-21 Stoning was the duty of the whole community: Lev 20:2; Lev 24:14; Nu 15:35 Stoning carried out lawfully: Lev 24:23; Nu 15:36; Jos 7:25 Stoning carried out unlawfully: 1Ki 21:11-13; 2Ch 24:21; Ac 7:54-59 The attempted stoning of Jesus Christ: Jn 8:58-59; Jn 10:31-33
Jn 8:3-11 Jesus Christ refuses to carry out a stoning.

The sword Ex 32:27; 1Sa 15:33; 1Sa 22:18-19; 1Ki 2:29,46; 2Ch 23:14-15; Da 2:5; Ac 12:2; Heb 11:37

Wild beasts Da 6:16

The commutation of the death penalty

Ge 4:15; Ex 21:13,29-30; Nu 35:6; Dt 4:42; Dt 19:1-10

See also