Murder

"Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and" "was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num. 35:16, 18," "21, 31; Lev. 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the" "fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen. 9:5," "6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any" compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Ex. "21:12, 14; Deut. 19:11, 13; 2 Sam. 17:25; 20:10). Two witnesses" were required in any capital case (Num. 35:19-30; Deut. "17:6-12). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city" nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (Deut. 21:1-9). These offences also were "to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a" parent; (3) kidnapping (Ex. 21:15-17; Deut. 27:16).