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NASB | Exodus 20:13 ¶ "You shall not murder. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Exodus 20:13 ¶ "You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide). [Gen 9:6; Ex 21:12, 14, 18] |
Bible Question: why were there so many wars if God had stated that you weren't to kill any person in the ten commandments ? |
Bible Answer: Hello Matt, As Searcher pointed out, their are different words used to denote one taking the life of another; however, it should be pointed out that both Ratsach and Harag might be translated as murder. But I think the essense of your questions seems to suggest a conflict in your reconciling an apparent contradiction. A word study is a start, but an understanding of God's sovereignty and His righteousness is essential. By sovereignty we mean God's absolute right to do all things according to His own will and pleasure. He is the Creator of all that is. Dan 4:34-35 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" ESV Rev 4:11 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." ESV By righteousness we mean that God is the final standard for what is right, and He always acts in accordance with what is right. Deut 32:3-4 3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! 4 "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. ESV Even a quick read of the OT will clearly deliniate between the taking of life that is condoned by God at that which is not. A read of Numbers chapter 35 will give a very good, detailed explanation of God's defining lawful and unlawful taking of life. There are many different reasons for war, and not all of them are in accordance with God's righteousness. Much of the war in the world is apparently nothing more than a result of sinful man's greed and hunger for power. But we can be assured by the teachings of Scripture, that regarding the commandment "thou shalt not kill" (KJV) in no way contradicts or conflicts with God's using war to effect His righteous judgment of men and nations. I hope this helps, God bless, Jeff |