Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Taking A Life?
14 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Taking A Life in the Bible
Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about taking a life. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential life circumstances topic.
Top 10 Verses About Taking A Life
- 1Genesis 9:6
“Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”
KJV - 2
- 3
- 4Leviticus 24:17
“And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. killeth: Heb. smiteth the life of a man”
KJV - 5Numbers 35:11
“Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. at: Heb. by error”
KJV - 6
- 7Deuteronomy 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: mortally: Heb. in life”
KJV - 8Proverbs 6:16
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: unto: Heb. of his soul”
KJV - 9Proverbs 24:11
“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;”
KJV - 10Matthew 5:21
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Taking A Life? (9 Verses)
“Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”
“Thou shalt not kill.”
“He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.”
“And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. killeth: Heb. smiteth the life of a man”
“Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. at: Heb. by error”
“Thou shalt not kill.”
“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: mortally: Heb. in life”
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: unto: Heb. of his soul”
“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Taking A Life? (5 Verses)
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to”
“He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,”
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Taking A Life
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about taking a life. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about taking a life and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about taking a life is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on taking a life needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about taking a life with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about taking a life, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Taking A Life?
You have studied 14 verses about taking a life. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.