The Value of Human Life
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.”
Listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture.
Before the Flood, the earth had been filled with evil, corruption and violence (Genesis 6:5, 11). The Bible specifically describes murders committed by Cain and Lamech (Genesis 4:8, 23) as early examples of this violent trend.
After the Flood, God reinforced the value of human life in His instructions to Noah and his sons. Even the blood of animals was important. It was not to be eaten as it was the essence of life (Genesis 9:4).
Much more so, human blood and human life are precious to God, since man of all the creatures was made in the very image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). In His justice, God established the death penalty for murder, further reinforcing the gravity of this terrible crime.
For more about murder and the value of human life, see the article “Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Murder.”
For a study of what the Bible teaches about our purpose and destiny, download our free booklet God’s Purpose for You: Discovering Why You Were Born.
