The Penalty for Killing Men and Animals (2/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Leviticus 24-25.

If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death. The one who takes the life of an animal shall make it good, life for life. […] Thus one who kills an animal shall make it good, but the one who kills a man shall be put to death. There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 24:17-22).

This is a reminder of penalties that were already given. The punishment for murdering another man was death (Exodus 21:12). When a neighbor’s animal was killed, restitution was to be made (Exodus 21:33-36), but a man who killed an animal was not to be put to death. There are some lessons we can learn from this law:

  • We must recognize the great value God places upon human life. The reason why the death penalty existed for murdering one’s fellow man was because man was made “in the image of God” (Genesis 9:6).
  • Animals are not equal to human beings. Animals, while having been created by God, were not made in His image. Animals do not have eternal souls. The concept that some have today that animals should be given the same rights and protections as people have is completely foreign to the Scriptures.
  • Animals are still important and serve a legitimate function in the world. While they are not equal to humans, we ought to take care of them and not abuse them. It is a matter of stewardship (with our own animals) and respect for private property (with others’ animals). It only makes sense then for restitution be made when we destroy another man’s property.
  • This law was for the stranger and the native. Regardless of one’s country of origin, all have been made in the image of God (Acts 17:26). Therefore, we must not view others as being somehow inferior to us and then think that harming them can somehow be justified.

Tomorrow’s reading: Leviticus 26-27

[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]


Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.


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