Genesis 9:6

Translations

Modern

Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Traditional

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Literal

Whoever sheds the blood of the man, by the man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He has made the man.

Latin

Quicumque effuderit humanum sanguinem, fundetur sanguis illius: ad imaginem quippe Dei factus est homo.

Original

Hebrew

English

Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Notes

Genesis 9:6

for in His own image God has made mankind: God made human beings in his own image. That is why this passage gives a theological reason for the death penalty in the Old Testament. Human beings have a unique place in creation because they bear God’s image (1:26–28). If someone murders another person, that person destroys a life that reflects God in a special way. Because of that, the murderer must receive the highest penalty. See also Exodus 21:23–25.

This does not mean people should take revenge for themselves (Romans 12:17–19). Instead, God has given governing authorities the duty to carry out justice (Romans 13:1–7).

Genesis 9:5–6

Violence, including murder, was a major factor in bringing about God’s judgment of the flood (4:8; 6:11, 13). At this new beginning for human beings, God affirmed the value of human life (that human life is sacred) and established justice for those who take a human life (see also Psalm 9:12; “Retribution” Theme Note).

The function of law is to restrain human wickedness and preserve moral order. This law was further developed in the law of Moses (Exodus 21:12–14; Leviticus 24:17–22; Numbers 35:16–34; Deuteronomy 17:6–7; 19:15).

Genesis 9:1–7

God's first speech after the great flood starts and ends with a blessing (9:1, 7). In this speech, God explains again how humans and animals relate to each other, with some changes from the original creation. God gives special attention to the value of life (the importance of protecting human life).

Theme notes and profiles

Noah Apostasy Death God’s Covenant with David God’s Covenant with Noah God’s Covenants God’s New Covenant Symbolic Numbers The Cities of Refuge

Events

God makes a covenant with Noahc. 2347 BC

Related verses

Leviticus 24:17
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.
Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
Exodus 21:12–14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.
Numbers 35:33
Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.
Genesis 1:26–27
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
James 3:9
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in His own likeness.
Genesis 4:14
Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
1 Kings 2:28–34
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar.
Romans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
Exodus 22:2–3
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

Glossary

Adam (Person) Avenger of Blood Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bloodguilt Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Genesis, Book of Image of God Land Mesopotamia Noah Patriarchs, Period of the Punishment Shinar The Flood

Topics

Abortion Avenger of Blood: Premosaic Avenger of Blood: Scriptures Relating To Blood: Shedding of Human: Always Punished Capital Punishment Corporal Punishment Covenant of God with Men: Everlasting Death Penalty God: Creator God: Creator of Man Going to Jail Hating Others Homicide: Felonious, or Murder Homicide: Justifiable, Described as Killing Persons Condemned by Law Homicide: Punishment of Image: Man Created In, of God Killing Killing in Self Defense Killing the Innocent Man: Created in the Image of God Murder: Punishment For: Death Murder: Punishment For: Forbidden Murder: Punishment of Murder: Why Forbidden by God Punishment: Death Penalty for Murder Retribution Taking a Life Taking your Own Life The Law of God: Given: To Noah The Sanctity of Life Thou Shalt Not Kill Victims

Genesis 9:6

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics