SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEATH PENALTY IN ISRAEL

Ancient Israel was to reflect the character of YHWH to the world (cf. Gen. 12:3; 22:18; Exod. 19:5-6). When intentional covenant rebellion distorted this missionary purpose, serious consequences manifested (i.e., death penalty).

The Pentateuch lists several categories for which the death penalty was required:

  1. sins against YHWH
    1. Canaanite worship practices – Exod. 22:18; Lev. 20:2-3,27; Deut. 18:10-11 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE)
    2. idolatry (heavenly hosts) – Exod. 22:20; Deut. 17:2-7 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY)
    3. blasphemy – Exod. 22:28; Lev. 24:15-16
    4. false prophecy – Deut. 13:1-11; 18:20-22
    5. Sabbath violations – Exod. 31:14-15; 35:2
  2. sexual sins
    1. incest – Lev. 20:11-21
    2. fornication – Lev. 19:29; 21:9; Deut. 22:13-21; 23:17-18
    3. adultery – Exod. 20:14; Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:23-24 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ADULTERY)
    4. sodomy – Lev. 18:22; 20:13
    5. bestiality – Exod. 22:19; Lev. 20:15-16
  3. violation of covenant regulations against fellow Israelites
    1. murder – Exod. 20:13; 21:12-14; Lev. 24:17; Num. 35:16-21; Deut. 5:17 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: MURDER)
    2. kidnaping (to sell) – Exod. 21:16; Deut. 24:7 and possibly Exod. 20:15; Deut. 5:19
    3. rebellion against parents – Deut. 21:18-21
    4. false witness
    5. taking holy war spoils – Joshua 7 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CURSE)

The methods of execution also varied.

  1. stoning – most common (see SPECIAL TOPIC: STONING TO DEATH)
  2. burning – Gen. 38:24; Lev. 20:14; 21:9 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE)
  3. hanging/impaling – Deut. 21:22-23 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CRUCIFIXION)
  4. sword – Deut. 13:15

Exceptions for special cases.

  1. cities of refuge and subsequent trial – Joshua 20 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES OF REFUGE)
  2. stringent investigations of accusations – Deut. 13:14; 17:4; 19:18
  3. need for two witnesses – Num. 35:36; Deut. 17:6; 19:15

The death penalty was to be

  1. a way to cleanse the land – Deut. 13:5; 17:12; 19:13,19; 21:9,21; 22:21,22,24; 24:7
  2. a deterrent to others – Deut. 17:13; 19:20; 21:21
  3. a way of stopping clan violence (i.e., no personal revenge, except regulations set for blood-avenger; see SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD AVENGER)

See Ancient Israel, vol. 1, pp. 147-163.

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