The sixth commandment in the Bible, found in Exodus 20:13, says, “You shall not murder.” The term ‘murder’ speaks to the premeditated killing of another human being. This command does not include the taking of life by means of warfare or capital punishment as prescribed by law—such actions are taken for the protection of life, land, and liberty through legal means. If death should occur because one is defending himself, this is not considered murder either; by law, a man has the right to defend himself and his family. However, no one is to take the law into his own hands for just any reason. If life can be preserved until a trial by law can take place, then that life must be preserved. The Bible says this about the trial of a murderer: “Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty” (Numbers 35:30).
