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

Reading for Today:

Deuteronomy 21:1–22:30

Psalm 38:9-22

Proverbs 12:26-28

Luke 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).