Scripture treats human life as a divine gift and something for which humans are responsible. It is thus to be valued and respected. No human being has the right to take the life of another.
The sanctity of all human life
It proceeds from God
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
It is precious to God
Genesis 1:27 See also Genesis 4:10–11; 2 Samuel 18:12–13; Matthew 6:25–26
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
It is protected by God
Deuteronomy 22:8 See also Genesis 4:15; Numbers 35:11–12; Jeremiah 22:3
If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.
Death is by God's appointment
Hebrews 9:27 See also Job 14:5; Psalm 90:3, Psalm 90:5
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,
God prohibits unlawful taking of life
Exodus 20:13 parallel Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9 So precious is human life that some situations which required the death penalty in the OT are dealt with differently in the NT (e.g., John 8:5–11).
You shall not murder.
God punishes unlawful taking of life
Genesis 9:6 See also Exodus 21:14; 2 Samuel 12:9; 2 Kings 21:16
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.
The sanctity of children's lives
Children are planned by God
Genesis 18:10; Judges 13:3–4; 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 4:16–17; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:13–17, Luke 1:24–25, Luke 1:31–33, Luke 1:35
Children are precious and to be treasured
Psalm 127:3–4 See also Genesis 33:5, Genesis 48:9; Psalm 113:9, Psalm 128:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
Child sacrifice is opposed
Genesis 22:10–12; Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 12:31; 2 Kings 3:27, 2 Kings 16:3 parallel 2 Chronicles 28:3; Psalm 106:38; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:30–31, Jeremiah 19:5; Ezekiel 16:20–21
Warnings against murder of children
Antenatal life is fully human
Job 31:15; Psalm 22:9, Psalm 119:73, Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 46:3–4, Isaiah 49:1, Isaiah 49:5; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41, Luke 1:44
Injury to a pregnant woman is serious
The sanctity of old age
The old are to be respected
Proverbs 23:22 See also Leviticus 19:32; Job 32:6; Psalm 71:18; 1 Timothy 5:1–2
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
The old are to be cherished
1 Timothy 5:4 See also Genesis 47:12–13; 1 Samuel 22:3; John 19:26–27
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.