Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
GENESIS 9:6KJVWhat does Genesis 9:6 mean?
Genesis 9:6 says that anyone who takes a human life (“sheds man’s blood”) will have their own life taken by another person, because humans are made in the image of God. This verse sets a serious warning against murder and highlights the unique value of human life.
God is speaking to Noah and his sons after the flood, giving them new instructions for how to live in the world. Genesis 9:6 explains why human life is sacred: people are made in God's “image,” which means every person has special worth. The verse introduces the idea that taking a life is not just a crime against another person, but also against God’s own creation.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 9:6
- “sheddeth” (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): This word means to pour out or spill, often used for blood in violent contexts. It emphasizes the act of intentionally causing death.
- “image” (צֶלֶם, tselem): This word means a likeness or representation. Here, it stresses that humans reflect something of God’s own nature, which is why human life is so valuable.
- “God” (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is the general Hebrew word for God, used here to show that the value of human life is rooted in God’s creative act, not just social agreement.
- “man” (אָדָם, adam): This word can mean “man,” “human,” or “mankind.” Its repetition in the verse underlines that the law applies to all people, not just a specific group.
Why Genesis 9:6 matters
- Genesis 9:6 clarifies that the reason for protecting human life is not just social order, but the belief that every person bears God’s image.
- The verse connects the value of life to creation, not just to later laws or customs, making this a foundational statement for the rest of the Bible.
- This verse helps explain why the Bible treats murder as a particularly serious wrong, setting it apart from other kinds of violence or wrongdoing.