There are six different words translated as “kill” in the OT, but they all have shades of meaning. While most of them can mean kill in at least some instances, I want to examine Deuteronomy 5:17. In the KJV, it is translated as “thou shalt not kill.” The word translated as “kill” here is ratsakh (Strong’s H7523). ratsakh does not, as some have said, mean “murder,” for in Deuteronomy 19:4 ratsakh is clearly referring to accidental killing, which definitely is not what the English word “murder” means. However, kill is also not a good translation, as using kill in Deuteronomy 5:17 implies any ending of life is immoral (even accidents or capital punishment). This meaning would clearly contradict other laws.
English majors have a saying: “there are no synonyms.” Excuse the hyperbole of the saying, but if Hebrew uses six words for ending life, then there must be six different connotations. As an analogy, why would an author in English use “hit,” “struck,” “smacked,” or “punched,” when they mean the same thing? Kill is such a broad term, that it cannot be useful for ratsakh; whatever word is used has to fit the context of both the blanket law against ratsakh, and the safeguard for accidental ratsakh. One thing that helps is that Deuteronomy 19:4 and other similar passages clearly indicate contextually with examples that an accident is the exception to the rule, so “murder” is probably better than “kill,” because the context of Deuteronomy 9 explains the exception, whereas Deuteronomy 5 gives no context (so an over specific word can make sense in either one).
If you look at cognate words and also the context of uses of ratsakh it is clear that the connotation is one of violence. Whether it be a lion devouring, or an ax blade flying, ratsakh is a very strong word. Perhaps a comparable word in English is “slay.” Unfortunately, it is becoming archaic, so it isn’t a very good choice either. When working between languages, there is rarely a perfect choice. Perhaps a slang or informal word would work? Let me know what you think…
Sola Scriptura!
Copyright © 2011 David S. Robinson. Any part of this work may be transmitted, reprinted, or otherwise used in any form, so long as 1) I am clearly identified as the author, and 2) a link or URL to this site is included.
English majors have a saying: “there are no synonyms.” Excuse the hyperbole of the saying, but if Hebrew uses six words for ending life, then there must be six different connotations. As an analogy, why would an author in English use “hit,” “struck,” “smacked,” or “punched,” when they mean the same thing? Kill is such a broad term, that it cannot be useful for ratsakh; whatever word is used has to fit the context of both the blanket law against ratsakh, and the safeguard for accidental ratsakh. One thing that helps is that Deuteronomy 19:4 and other similar passages clearly indicate contextually with examples that an accident is the exception to the rule, so “murder” is probably better than “kill,” because the context of Deuteronomy 9 explains the exception, whereas Deuteronomy 5 gives no context (so an over specific word can make sense in either one).
If you look at cognate words and also the context of uses of ratsakh it is clear that the connotation is one of violence. Whether it be a lion devouring, or an ax blade flying, ratsakh is a very strong word. Perhaps a comparable word in English is “slay.” Unfortunately, it is becoming archaic, so it isn’t a very good choice either. When working between languages, there is rarely a perfect choice. Perhaps a slang or informal word would work? Let me know what you think…
Sola Scriptura!
Copyright © 2011 David S. Robinson. Any part of this work may be transmitted, reprinted, or otherwise used in any form, so long as 1) I am clearly identified as the author, and 2) a link or URL to this site is included.
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