SPECIAL TOPIC: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

The taking of someone's life by the community was meant to be a deterrent to further crimes against the community citizens (cf. Deut. 13:11). In the OT the death sentence was carried out by the whole community (i.e. Lev. 20:2,27; 24:13-23; Num. 15:32-36; Deut. 13:10; 21:21; Josh. 7:22-26).

Here is a list of the sins that triggered capital punishment in Israel.

1. All of the sins listed in Exod. 20:13-16 required capital punishment.
   1. murder
   2. adultery
   3. stealing (i.e. kidnapping, cf. Exod. 21:16; Deut. 24:7)
   4. false witnessing
2. idolatry/occult
   1. Molelch -- Lev. 20:2-5; 1 Kgs. 11:7
   2. mediums and spiritists -- Lev. 20:6-8,27
   3. go after other gods -- Deut. 13:1-10; 17:2-7
3. incest -- Lev. 20:14
4. blasphemy against YHWH -- Exod. 22:28; Lev. 24:10-23
5. sabbath breaking -- Num. 15:35-36
6. premeditated murder -- Exod. 20:13; Num. 35:9
7. dishonoring parents -- Exod. 21:17; Lev. 20:9; Deut. 21:18-21
8. adultery -- Exod. 20:10-16; Deut. 22:13-21,22,23-27
9. violating the ban (herem) -- Josh. 7:25

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