Murder
For most of us, the command, "Do not murder," does not significantly restrict our planned behavior. Nevertheless, it has important implications. Because God gave us life, the Old Testament law levied harsh penalties on those who took life unnecessarily: Those who killed must be killed. However, a person who killed another accidentally could flee to a city of refuge, where the person would be protected from vengeance until a trial could be held. This provision is an illustration of God's mercy.

The New Testament takes the law one step further, saying that the sin of hatred is comparable to the sin of murder. Because God is love, he cannot tolerate hatred, which is, in the final analysis, the seed of murder.

The Bible repeatedly prohibits murder.
Exodus 20:13
Numbers 35:16-21,30-34
Romans 13:9-10
Revelation 21:8
The Bible distinguishes between premeditated and accidental murder.
Numbers 35:6-33
Joshua 20:1-9
People who were against God's way murdered Jesus and the Old Testament prophets .
Matthew 23:29-37
Acts 7:51-53
The Bible compares the sin of hatred to the sin of murder.
Matthew 5:21-22
1 John 3:11-15
No matter what sin is committed against us, the Lord commands us to pray for our enemies. By doing so, we show God's love and do not succumb to hate.
Matthew 5:44