Assassination
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Assassination in the Bible?
The Hebrew Bible does not distinguish the term 'assassination' from general murder, treating both as unlawful killing. Mosaic law strictly prohibits all forms of homicide, encompassing both deliberate acts and accidental slayings.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the biblical prohibition against unlawful killing clarifies the ancient Israelite view of the sanctity of life and establishes a foundational ethical framework for interpreting concepts of justice and retribution within the text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Assassination. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Assassination in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Assassination clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Assassination." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/assassination/