Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” (NIV)

What does it say?  That is the first question to answer if you wish to understand scripture.  This is a matter of translation.  What words were used and what words in the English language mean the same thing.  Most translations of Genesis 9:6 are very similar to the translation found in the NIV. Most are in agreement as to what it says.

The second step to understanding is to answer the question “What does it mean?” What did the text mean to the writer?  What did it mean to the original readers or hearers of the word?  To discover the original meaning of this verse we look to early Hebrew tradition as well as other writings in the scriptures.  The Old Testament tells the story of God seeking to civilize mankind.  In Genesis 9:6 God shares a principle that human life is precious and is not to be taken unlawfully.  When confronted with this principle wicked men always seek loopholes.  They literally seek to find a way to get away with murder.

The Mosaic Law clarifies what Genesis 9:6 means.  Exodus 21:14 “…if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.”  They were not to be taken and put to death by a mob; they were to be executed by the government.  God intended that human government protect the weak from evil men. It is a perversion of God’s will when government becomes evil. Throughout history wicked men have tried to get away with murder.  When evil men become rulers there seems to be no limit to the death and destruction they cause. If our government is going to protect us, we must protect our government.