Honestly, when I first dug into "what is the sixth commandment," I thought it would be straightforward. Just four words: "You shall not murder." But man, was I wrong. Years ago during a university theology class debate, this exact question turned into a three-hour marathon session. We had Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant students all bringing different perspectives to the table. That's when it hit me – most people searching for what is the sixth commandment aren't just after a dictionary definition. They're wrestling with real life.
The Core Answer Straight Up
At its simplest, the sixth commandment states: You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13). That foundational prohibition appears in both Jewish and Christian traditions. But here's what most quick guides won't tell you – the Hebrew word "ratsach" specifically means illegal killing or murder, not all killing universally. This distinction becomes crucial when we get into modern applications.
Key Terminology Breakdown
- Original Hebrew: "לֹא תִּרְצָח" (Lo tirtzach) - "You shall not murder"
- Greek (Septuagint): "οὐ φονεύσεις" (Ou phoneuseis) - "You shall not murder"
- Latin (Vulgate): "Non occides" - Traditionally "You shall not kill"
That Latin translation caused centuries of confusion! I've seen Catholics and Protestants nearly come to blows over coffee arguing whether "non occides" refers to all killing or just unlawful killing. The original Hebrew clearly targets malicious homicide.
Why the Numbering Mess Matters
Here's where things get messy. If you ask five religious folks "what is the sixth commandment," you might get three different answers. Why? Because the numbering changes based on tradition.
| Tradition | Commandments 1-4 | Commandment 5 | Commandment 6 | Commandments 7-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish | 1. No other gods 2. No idols 3. No vain use of God's name 4. Sabbath observance | Honor parents | No murder | 7. No adultery 8. No theft 9. No false witness 10. No coveting |
| Orthodox/Reformed | 1. No other gods 2. No idols 3. No vain use of God's name 4. Sabbath observance | Honor parents | No murder | 7. No adultery 8. No theft 9. No false witness 10. No coveting |
| Catholic/Lutheran | 1. No other gods 2. No vain use of God's name | Sabbath observance | Honor parents | 5. No murder 6. No adultery 7. No theft 8. No false witness 9-10. No coveting (split) |
See what happened? Catholics and Lutherans combine the first two commandments about God and split the coveting commandment. So what Protestants call the sixth commandment becomes the fifth for them. This isn't just trivia – it explains why your Catholic friend might look confused when you discuss the sixth commandment!
Ancient Context They Don't Teach in Sunday School
Let's be real, "what is the sixth commandment" meant something very specific in 1400 BCE. Back then:
- Warfare wasn't considered violation (see Joshua's battles)
- Capital punishment was divinely sanctioned (Leviticus 20)
- Accidental killing required cities of refuge (Numbers 35)
Modern readers often hit a wall here. I recall teaching a Bible study where a veteran asked: "So God commands 'don't murder' but orders genocide in Joshua?" That tension forced me to research ancient Near Eastern law codes like Hammurabi's. Turns out Israel's laws were shockingly progressive – requiring trial evidence (Deuteronomy 19:15) and distinguishing premeditated murder from manslaughter.
During my time volunteering at a prison ministry, I met Mark (name changed), who served 20 years for second-degree murder. He carried Exodus 20:13 crumpled in his pocket. "This verse haunted me," he confessed. "But my priest helped me see God's mercy through David – a murderer who became a 'man after God's own heart.'" His story reshaped how I view the sixth commandment's application today.
Modern Minefields Beyond Physical Killing
When people ask "what is the sixth commandment" now, they're really asking about:
- Abortion: Is terminating pregnancy murder?
- Euthanasia: Does mercy killing violate this?
- Self-defense: Can I protect my family with lethal force?
- War: What about Christian soldiers?
- Hatred: Jesus' expansion to anger (Matthew 5:21-22)
Frankly, some interpretations frustrate me. I've seen activists twist "you shall not murder" into political weapons while ignoring Jesus' heart-exposure in Matthew 5. The early church father Tertullian got it right: "Murder is forbidden once for all, yet we are not to destroy even the foetus in the womb" (Apology IX). But modern discourse often loses this nuance.
A Real-Life Sixth Commandment Dilemma
Dr. Evan Jamison* (name changed), an ER physician and elder at my church, faces ethical triage daily. "Last month," he shared, "a pregnant woman arrived hemorrhaging. Saving her meant terminating the pregnancy. Was that murder? I prayed Exodus 20:13 while scrubbing in." His conclusion: "The sixth commandment requires preserving life – sometimes through tragic choices."
Jewish Ethics: Beyond the Letter
Rabbi David Rosen once told me over lunch: "Jewish law sees the sixth commandment as a baseline, not the ceiling." The Talmud expands it to include:
- Geneivat da'at: Deception that harms others
- Lashon hara: Destructive speech (equivalent to "character murder")
- Business fraud: Economically destroying lives
This resonates with Jesus' sermon: "Anyone who is angry... will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22). So when exploring what is the sixth commandment, we must ask: Does my gossip assassinate reputations? Do my business practices ruin livelihoods?
Practical Applications for Normal People
Forget theoretical debates. Here's how the sixth commandment impacts daily choices:
| Life Area | Violations | Positive Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace | Slandering colleagues; creating hostile environments | Protecting coworkers from harm; ethical business practices |
| Family | Emotional abuse; neglect of dependents | Providing healthcare; elder care; conflict resolution |
| Digital Life | Cyberbullying; spreading misinformation | Online kindness; protecting others' reputations |
| Civic Duty | Voting for unjust policies; ignoring oppression | Advocating for life-affirming laws; supporting crisis pregnancy centers |
My neighbor Sarah applies this unexpectedly. After learning about modern slavery, she started checking clothing labels. "If my $5 shirt required child labor," she argued, "that's systemic murder through poverty." Heavy? Maybe. But she's embodying the spirit of Exodus 20:13.
What Scholars Get Wrong About the Sixth Commandment
Frankly, some academic treatments miss the mark. They'll dissect Hebrew verbs but ignore lived realities. Three overlooked aspects:
- Protection, not just prohibition: The commandment safeguards life's sanctity
- Corporate dimension: Societies bear responsibility (e.g., unjust laws)
- Mental health component: Self-harm ideation violates the spirit of self-preservation
Pastor Tim Keller nails it: "The command against murder is about recognizing God's image in every person." That transforms how we treat addicts, refugees, or political opponents.
Case in point: When my town debated a homeless shelter, opponents cited property values. But Mrs. O'Reilly, an Auschwitz survivor, stood up: "After the war, I learned this: When we dehumanize anyone, we break the sixth commandment before raising a hand." The shelter got approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the sixth commandment forbid eating meat?
Not inherently. While some vegetarians cite this (Genesis 9:3 permits meat), factory farming conditions might violate the spirit of humane treatment.
What about self-defense?
Most traditions allow proportional force. John Calvin wrote: "Defense against violence isn't prohibited... provided it doesn't involve revenge."
Does God violate His own command?
The hardest question. Traditional answers point to God as life's Author having rights humans don't – but I struggle with passages like 1 Samuel 15:3.
Is abortion murder under this commandment?
Historically, Christianity views elective abortion as violating "you shall not murder" (Didache 2:2). Exceptions exist for life-threatening pregnancies.
What does Jesus add to this command?
Radical heart-focus: Unrighteous anger devalues human dignity (Matthew 5:21-26). Reconciliation becomes paramount.
How do pacifist Christians justify their stance?
They emphasize Jesus' nonviolence (Matthew 26:52) and early church practice. Mennonite theologian John Howard Yoder argued killing always destroys God's image.
Does capital punishment break the sixth commandment?
Debated! Augustine supported it for societal protection. Modern opponents argue rehabilitation trumps retribution. My take? Flawed humans shouldn't play God with irreversible punishments.
Beyond the Obvious: Cultural Blind Spots
We westerners often miss global perspectives on what is the sixth commandment. In South Africa, Desmond Tutu linked apartheid to institutional murder. In Latin America, liberation theologians connect it to economic justice. Even environmentalists like Pope Francis see ecological abuse as violating life's sanctity (Laudato Si').
Personal confession: I used to roll my eyes at "climate commandment" takes. Then I visited Manila's slums where toxic floods kill children annually. Now I get it. Poisoning water sources violates "you shall not murder" as surely as pulling a trigger.
Conclusion: Why This Ancient Text Still Cuts Deep
After all this, what is the sixth commandment finally mean? It declares every human life sacred because we bear God's image (Genesis 9:6). Not just the innocent or useful – but addicts, criminals, immigrants, and adversaries. That's why it transcends religions: Gandhi fought British rule using its logic, and MLK invoked it against segregation.
Last month, I saw its power unexpectedly. At a hospital vigil, an atheist surgeon whispered: "We lost the patient, but I kept thinking... 'don't murder' means fight like hell for every life." Whether you believe in Sinai or not, that principle remains humanity's bedrock. And honestly? That's why people keep searching for what is the sixth commandment – they're yearning for that irreducible worth we instinctively know we possess.
So yeah, it's way more than four words.
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