Exodus 20:13

20:13 “You shall not murder. ¹ 

Proverbs 8:36

8:36 But the one who does not find me ²  brings harm ³  to himself; ⁴ 

all who hate me ⁵  love death.”

Ecclesiastes 7:17

7:17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool;

otherwise ⁶  you might die before your time.

[20:13]  ¹ tn The verb רָצַח (ratsakh) refers to the premeditated or accidental taking of the life of another human being; it includes any unauthorized killing (it is used for the punishment of a murderer, but that would not be included in the prohibition). This commandment teaches the sanctity of all human life. See J. H. Yoder, “Exodus 20,13: ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’,” Int 34 (1980): 394-99; and A. Phillips, “Another Look at Murder,” JJS 28 (1977): 105-26.

[8:36]  ² tn Heb “the one sinning [against] me.” The verb חָטָא (khata’, “to sin”) forms a contrast with “find” in the previous verse, and so has its basic meaning of “failing to find, miss.” So it is talking about the one who misses wisdom, as opposed to the one who finds it.

[8:36]  ³ tn The Qal active participle functions verbally here. The word stresses both social and physical harm and violence.

[8:36]  ⁴ tn Heb “his soul.”

[8:36]  ⁵ tn The basic idea of the verb שָׂנֵא (sane’, “to hate”) is that of rejection. Its antonym is also used in the line, “love,” which has the idea of choosing. So not choosing (i.e., hating) wisdom amounts to choosing (i.e., loving) death.

[7:17]  ⁶ tn Heb “Why?” The question is rhetorical.