The term "killeth" is an archaic form of the verb "kill," found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is used to describe the act of taking a life, whether human or animal, and is often associated with both literal and metaphorical contexts within Scripture. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is typically rendered as "kills" or "put to death," reflecting modern English usage.

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. The Sixth Commandment:
The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13, KJV) is a foundational moral directive in the Bible, emphasizing the sanctity of human life. In the Berean Standard Bible, this is translated as "You shall not murder," highlighting the prohibition against unlawful killing. This commandment underscores the value God places on human life, created in His image (Genesis 1:27).

2. Judicial and Ceremonial Killing:
The Old Testament law includes instances where killing is sanctioned under specific circumstances, such as capital punishment for certain crimes (Exodus 21:12-17) and the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7). These acts were regulated by divine law and served purposes within the covenant community, such as justice and atonement.

3. Metaphorical Use:
In the New Testament, "killeth" is sometimes used metaphorically. For example, in 2 Corinthians 3:6 , Paul writes, "For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Here, "kills" refers to the condemning power of the law without the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. This highlights the contrast between the old covenant of the law and the new covenant of grace through Christ.

4. Spiritual and Moral Implications:
The concept of killing extends beyond physical acts to include spiritual and moral dimensions. Jesus expands the understanding of murder in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching that harboring anger or hatred is akin to murder in the heart (Matthew 5:21-22). This teaching emphasizes the importance of inner purity and reconciliation.

5. Divine Judgment:
Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate judge who has the authority to give and take life. Instances of divine judgment, such as the flood (Genesis 6-9) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and justice. These acts of judgment are portrayed as righteous responses to human sin and rebellion.

6. Christ's Sacrifice:
The New Testament presents the death of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrificial act, fulfilling the requirements of the law and providing atonement for sin. His death and resurrection are central to the Christian faith, offering believers eternal life and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:8-10).

Theological Significance:

The concept of "killeth" in the Bible is deeply intertwined with themes of justice, mercy, and redemption. It reflects the gravity of sin and the profound nature of God's grace. While the act of killing is often associated with judgment and consequence, the overarching narrative of Scripture points to the hope of restoration and life through Jesus Christ.

Jerusalem that Killeth the Prophets
... CHAPTER XIII JERUSALEM THAT KILLETH THE PROPHETS. And as he went out of the
temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, "Master, see ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiii jerusalem that killeth.htm

The Teaching of Law Without the Life-Giving Spirit is "The Letter ...
... A Treatise on the spirit and the letter, Chapter 6 [IV.]"The Teaching of Law
Without the Life-Giving Spirit is "The Letter that Killeth.". ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 6 iv the teaching of.htm

The New Covenant: a Ministration of the Spirit
... Our sufficiency is of God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant;
not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vii the new covenant .htm

The Misrepresentation of the Pelagians Concerning the Use of the ...
... "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." [2679]
Therefore "the letter killeth, but the Spirit maketh alive." [2680] And the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 2 ii the misrepresentation of.htm

The Passage in Corinthians.
... but our sufficiency is of God; who hath made us fit, as ministers of the new testament;
not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 the passage in corinthians.htm

John Chapter xvi. 1-4.
... 3. Finally, to what He had thus told them, He added the words: "But the hour cometh,
that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service: and these ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xciii john chapter xvi.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I
spake unto you by the hand of Moses: 3. That the slayer that killeth any person ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

The Seventh Book Shows from Various Statements Made to The
... witness with our Spirit [814] ," and "no one knoweth the things of a man save the
Spirit of man which is in him [815] ," and "the letter killeth, but the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the seventh book.htm

Third Chapter
... by the letter, and are killing yourself still every day and hour, albeit you yourself
know full well that the Scripture saith, The letter killeth, but the ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/third chapter.htm

2 Cor. Iii. 1
... spirit. Whence also in further completion of this [contrast,] he saith,.
"For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.". Yet ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 2 cor iii.htm

Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Killeth (23 Occurrences). Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! ...
/k/killeth.htm - 13k

Unawares (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that
the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. ...
/u/unawares.htm - 10k

Thither (119 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that
the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. ...
/t/thither.htm - 38k

Kills (38 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. ... Leviticus
24:18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. ...
/k/kills.htm - 17k

Ignorantly (8 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 19:4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that
he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in ...
/i/ignorantly.htm - 9k

Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him,
the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter ...
/t/taunt.htm - 18k

Restitution (21 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Leviticus 24:21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it:
and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. (See NIV). ...
/r/restitution.htm - 13k

Stoneth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stoneth (4 Occurrences). Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! ...
/s/stoneth.htm - 7k

Soever (24 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 17:3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an
ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, (KJV JPS ...
/s/soever.htm - 14k

Slayeth (28 Occurrences)
... into his hand. (YLT). Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy
slayeth the silly one. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Psalms 78 ...
/s/slayeth.htm - 15k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus