The role of the government is giving (fair) punishment to
evildoers and to praise those that do well; life for life, eye
for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot
Three main types of punishments: Fines, Death Penalty, and Flogging
Death Penalty Crimes
Purpose of the death penalty is to make a public example and requires extreme evidence
Matthew 1:19
Religious death penalty crimes do not point to forced conversion but rather a ban on certain religions/practices and citizens are allowed to believe whatever they want
A False witness who testifies falsely over a death penalty case with intent of getting the accused man a death penalty
Deuteronomy 19:16-21
Perjury
If one is found to be a false witness he shall be given the same punishment that he thought to have done to the person he witnessed against (generally- beating, fine, or Death Penalty)
Deuteronomy 19:16-19
Manslaughter (accidental killing)
And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee
Killing someone without intent, and not directly, but through negligence and irresponsibility (this is not manslaughter because it is not direct or there is uncertainty as to who caused the death) equals pay fine or ransom for your life
Numbers 35:31-32 ,
Exodus 21:22 (unclear who caused),
Exodus 21:30-32 (no intent),
Deuteronomy 22:8
No Fault Deaths
Self Defense: If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him
Exodus 22:2
Meaning: this verse is talking about a thief who breaks in at night. You are permitted to kill him in order to protect your family
If the revenger of blood kills the man slayer, outside a designated city of refuge, he isn’t guilty of a crime
Numbers 35:26-28
This is later defined as the government’s role: Romans 13:4
If an animal (non-wild) kills someone and the owner showed no negligence: kill the animal but owner goes free
Exodus 21:28
Violence causing injury
Causing injury: pay their medical expense and loss of work time
Exodus 21:18-21
But if you cause a blemish: as he has done, so shall it be done to him
Thief restores 5 oxen for an ox that is killed and sold
Exodus 22:1
Thief restores 4 sheep for a sheep that is killed and sold
Exodus 22:1 ,
2 Samuel 12:6
Thief restores 2 times the value of all other stolen property (including if you borrow goods and it is stolen from you; you pay if the thief is not found)
Exodus 22:4 ,
22:7-9 ,
22:12
Debt
If a thief can’t pay his fine, then he is sold as a servant for his theft (in order to pay off the debt)
Exodus 22:3
Property Damage
Restitution for property damage when it’s your fault
No Restitution for property damage when it’s not your fault
Exodus 22:10-11 ,
22:13 ,
22:15
PROCEDURES
Civil Authorities
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes (God setup captains of tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands, and also 70 elders to bear the burden/complaints of the people)
Inheritance doesn’t switch between tribes, so if a woman inherits the land then she must marry someone from her tribe
Numbers 36:6
Sister in law: no children
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
(voluntary) the purpose is to give one's brother a seed so that his house remains i.e. a child so that his properties can be inherited)
Land given to immigrants who beget children in the land (unclaimed)
Ezekiel 47:22-23
Biblical Principle: A high population is good for a nation (Proverbs 14:28): A strong country will have a high fertility rate and/or many immigrants
Note: Ezekiel is referring to a time when they were redistributing the land to be settled again
Marriage
Let him write her a bill of divorcement (marriage is also a legal construct which gives the government legal authority to prohibit divorce and remarriages based on mosaic prohibitions)
Deuteronomy 24:1 ,
24:3 ,
Romans 7:2
Fine for fornication
Pay a dowry/fine for marrying or lying with a virgin: 50 shekels of silver
Exodus 22:17 ,
Deuteronomy 22:29
SABBATH YEARS
Note: started once they entered the Promised Land
Leviticus 25:2
The law is read every year of release at the feast of tabernacles to all the people in the land
Deuteronomy 31:9-13 ,
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Land Rested
Work the land 6 years
Exodus 23:10 ,
Leviticus 25:3
The 7th year: thou shall let the land rest and lie still (no sowing, reaping, pruning, gathering)
Exodus 23:11 ,
Leviticus 25:4-5 ,
25:20
The increase of the land shall be food for all people and animals therein (including poor people who want to eat from someone’s land)
Leviticus 25:6-7
Debts are forgiven
Every creditor that lends ought unto his neighbor shall release it (except for foreigners) (“exact” means to demand a payment: Isaiah 58:3 , Luke 3:13)
Deuteronomy 15:1-3
JUBILEE
Note: this is in alignment with the Sabbath Years
The 50TH year shall be a jubilee
Leviticus 25:11 ,
25:12
Ye shall hallow the 50TH year
Leviticus 25:8 ,
25:10 ,
25:12
Blow the trumpet of Jubilee on the day of atonement
Leviticus 25:9
Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof
Leviticus 25:10
Land Rested
Ye shall not sow, neither reap (wild or domestic produce)
Leviticus 25:11
Eat the increase out of the field
Leviticus 25:12
Eat of the old food and storage of the 6TH year until the 9TH year when harvest comes
Leviticus 25:20-22
Land returned to original owner
Return everyman unto his possession (the possession of his father's) (fields and un-walled cities)
Or the servant gets the option to stay with his Master (signified by an awl through the ear)
Exodus 21:5-6 ,
Deuteronomy 15:16-17
Bondmen
Shall be of the heathen roundabout or of the children of strangers that do sojourn in the land or of the families that are residing in the land (of those may be bought to be a bondman or bondmaiden to be a possession forever)
Leviticus 25:42-46
note: these people were to assimilate and become citizens
Genesis 17:12-13 ,
Exodus 12:44 ,
12:48
Servant girl you marry
Note: this is opposed to the hebrew women that serve 6 years (Deuteronomy 15:12)
The 6-year limit and Jubilee doesn’t apply
Exodus 21:7 (because she’s your wife)
Can’t sell her after you marry/betroth her
Exodus 21:8 ,
Deuteronomy 21:14
She goes free if
you don’t delight in her
Exodus 21:8 ,
Deuteronomy 21:14
you don’t give her food, clothing, and duty of marriage
Exodus 21:9-11
Her adultery is not punished by death but with a beating
Leviticus 19:20-22
If a man marries your servant girl, then he has to redeem her and her children for their freedom
Exodus 21:3-4
Captive in war: she shall shave her hair, pare her nails, and bewail her father and mother for one month before marrying
Deuteronomy 21:10-13
WARFARE
Note: Excessive or unprovoked warfare creates long term enemies and is often the downfall of nations
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 ,
Habakkuk 2:5-12 ,
James 4:1
Preperation
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war
Proverbs 11:14 ,
20:18 ,
24:6
Be prepared for war (as a nation)
Proverbs 21:22 ,
21:31 ,
Ezekiel 38:7
Be armed (have a weapon)
Deuteronomy 3:18 ,
Psalm 149:6 ,
Luke 22:36 ,
22:38
Organized Military
When the officers have made an end of speaking to the people then they make captains of armies to lead the people