§ 1 The text
NASB
Genesis 9:6, NASB“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.”
“The unborn are not persons, so abortion is not murder; and even if it is wrong, the state need not punish it as it punishes other killing.”
§ 2 The argument
The prohibition of murder and its penalty are grounded not in birth, age, or development but in the image of God, which every human bears from the beginning. Because the reason given is 'in the image of God He made man,' the protection extends to every image-bearer, including the child in the womb. This is also the earliest post-Flood civil command — given to Noah, the father of all mankind — so it is universal, not merely a rule for Israel.
§ 3 Context & notes
Given to Noah (Genesis 9), before the Mosaic Law, establishing the sanctity of human life and lethal justice for murder as a creation-order principle binding on all nations. Abolitionists argue the ground of the command ('image of God') answers the personhood question directly: image-bearing is not conferred at birth. Cross-reference Exodus 21:22-25, where this principle is applied explicitly to a child in the womb.
§ 4 Themes
image of God sanctity of life murder personhood capital justice universal law
§ 5 Discussion questions
- What reason does the verse give for why murder deserves the ultimate penalty — and does that reason depend on whether the victim has been born?
- If the image of God is the basis for protection, at what point does a human being begin to bear that image?
- This command predates Israel and was given to Noah, the ancestor of everyone. Why does that matter for whether it applies to modern nations?
§ 6 Related
§ 7 Sources
Cited works
Author & type
- American College of Pediatricians — medical/position