Bible Study for Today

What specific crimes were listed in the Old Testament as deserving the death penalty?

CRIME

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

1. Premeditated Murder

Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12–14, 22, 23

2. Kidnapping

Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7

3. Striking or Cursing Parents

Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 20:20; Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10

4. Magic and Divination

Exodus 22:18

5. Bestiality

Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 20:15, 16

6. Sacrificing to False Gods

Exodus 22:20

7. Profaning the Sabbath

Exodus 35:2; Numbers 15:32–36

8. Offering Human Sacrifice

Leviticus 20:2

9. Adultery

Leviticus 20:10–21; Deuteronomy 22:22

10. Incest

Leviticus 20:11, 12, 14

11. Homosexuality

Leviticus 20:13

12. Blasphemy

Leviticus 24:11–14, 16, 23

13. False Prophecy

Deuteronomy 13:1–10

14. Incorrigible Rebelliousness

Deuteronomy 17:12; 21:18–21

15. Fornication

Deuteronomy 22:20, 21

16. Rape of Betrothed Virgin

Deuteronomy 

Reading for Today:

Deuteronomy 21:1–22:30Psalm 38:9-22Proverbs 12:26-28Luke 5:1-16

Notes:

Deuteronomy 22:5 anything that pertains to a man…woman’s garment. Found only here in the Pentateuch, this statute prohibited a man from wearing any item of feminine clothing or ornamentation or a woman from wearing any item of masculine clothing or ornamentation. The same word translated “abomination” was used to describe God’s view of homosexuality (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). This instance specifically outlawed transvestism. The creation order distinctions between male and female were to be maintained without exception (Gen. 1:27).

Deuteronomy 22:22–29 Adultery was punished by death for the two found in the act. If the adulterous persons were a man with a woman who was pledged to be married to someone else, this consensual act led to the death of both parties (vv. 23, 24). However, if the man forced (i.e., raped) the woman, then only the man’s life was required (vv. 25–27). If the woman was a virgin not pledged in marriage, then the man had to pay a fine, marry the girl, and keep her as his wife as long as he lived (vv. 28, 29).

Luke 5:4 let down your nets.Normally, the fish that were netted in shallow water at night would migrate during the daylight hours to waters too deep to reach easily with nets, which is why Peter fished at night. Peter may have thought Jesus’ directive made no sense, but he obeyed and was rewarded for his obedience (v. 6).