Question: For what crimes does the Old Testament call for capital punishment?

 

Answer: There are many. Whatever you think about capital punishment, understand that the Bible portrays everything on the following list as a serious offense.

 

Here is a list of most of them.

 

    A.  Murder (Exod 21:12; Lev 24:17).

    B.  Adultery (Lev 20:10).

    C.  Homosexuality (Lev 20:13).

    D.  Bestiality (Exod 22:19; Lev 20:15-16).

    E.  A woman being found to be a non-virgin on her wedding

        night (Deut 22:13-17).

    F.  Rape (Deut 22:25).

    G.  Incest (Lev 20:11, etc.).

    H.  Idolatry (Deut 17:1-5).

    I.  Sorcery, etc. (Exod 22:18).

    J.  False prophecy (Deut 18:20).

    K.  Violating the Sabbath (Num 15:32-36).

    L.  Blaspheming God's name (Lev 24:10-16).

    M.  Kidnapping (Exod 21:16).

    N.  Cursing a parent (Exod 21:17; Lev 20:9).

    O.  Striking a parent (Exod 21:15).

    P.  Being a consistently rebellious child (Deut 21:18-21).

    Q.  Having your ox gore someone when you knew your ox would

        gore (Exod 21:28-32).

R.     Disobeying a judge's order (Deut 17:12)  

 

William P. Griffin, Ph.D.