Biblical Question

What does the Bible say about assisted suicide?

Retrieved texts include Numbers 17:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Exodus 20:13, 1 John 5:16.

The texts do not directly address broader modern formulations; NO DIRECT REFERENCE IN SOURCE TEXTS and INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE apply beyond retrieved passages.

Related Questions
PrayerWisdomLove
Expanded Query
"Wherefore doth the scripture speak of self-murder, hastening death, the destruction of the temple of the Holy Ghost, or the taking of one's own life? Also: suicide, euthanasia, mercy killing, the sanctity of life, thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13), the dominion of God over life and death, theodicy."
Answer

THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

1. QUESTION

What does the Bible say about assisted suicide?

2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

The retrieved texts contain the following potentially relevant passages:

On the prohibition of killing:

"Thou shalt not kill." — Exodus 20:13 (KJV)

"Thou shalt not kill." — Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV)

On life and death as moral choices set before humanity:

"Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death." — Jeremiah 21:8 (KJV)

On God's disposition toward death:

"For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." — Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV)

On individual accountability for one's own death:

"For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head." — 1 Kings 2:37 (KJV)

On saving versus destroying life:

"Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" — Luke 6:9 (KJV)

2. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA

The Hebrew term in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 is רָצַח (ratsach), rendered "kill" in KJV. However, none of the retrieved texts provide linguistic analysis clarifying whether this term encompasses suicide, assisted suicide, or only homicide of another person. The texts do not define the semantic range of the term.

3. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS

The retrieved texts do not contain any scholarly commentary on assisted suicide. No interpretive positions from theologians, lexicons, or historical-critical sources have been provided.

4. ASSESSMENT

The retrieved texts do not directly address assisted suicide. The term "assisted suicide" (the act of helping another person end their own life) does not appear, nor is it described in any of these passages.

The texts affirm:

  • A general prohibition against killing (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17)
  • God's stated desire for life over death (Ezekiel 18:32)
  • Life and death framed as moral paths (Jeremiah 21:8)

However, no retrieved text explicitly addresses:

  • Suicide itself
  • Assisting another in ending their life
  • End-of-life medical decisions

5. SOURCES

  • Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
  • Exodus 20:13 (KJV)
  • Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV)
  • Deuteronomy 31:29 (KJV)
  • 1 Kings 2:37 (KJV)
  • 2 Kings 14:6 (KJV)
  • 2 Samuel 4:11 (KJV)
  • Jeremiah 11:21 (KJV)
  • Jeremiah 21:8 (KJV)
  • Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV)
  • Luke 6:9 (KJV)
  • Romans 1:32 (KJV)
  • Romans 7:13 (KJV)
  • 1 John 5:16 (KJV)
  • Numbers 17:13 (KJV)

6. CONSENSUS INDICATOR

INSUFFICIENT TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

The retrieved sources do not contain direct statements about assisted suicide. Any answer to this question would require:

  1. Additional biblical texts (e.g., narratives involving suicide such as Saul in 1 Samuel 31, Judas in Matthew 27)
  2. Lexical analysis of ratsach and its scope
  3. Theological and ethical commentary beyond Scripture itself

I cannot make an assertion on this topic based solely on the texts provided.

Sources
Numbers 17:13 (KJV) — score 0.510
Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV) — score 0.510
Thou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:13 (KJV) — score 0.510
Thou shalt not kill.
1 John 5:16 (KJV) — score 0.506
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
Romans 7:13 (KJV) — score 0.503
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Jeremiah 21:8 (KJV) — score 0.500
¶ And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Jeremiah 11:21 (KJV) — score 0.497
Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:
1 Kings 2:37 (KJV) — score 0.495
For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV) — score 0.492
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Deuteronomy 31:29 (KJV) — score 0.488
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.
2 Kings 14:6 (KJV) — score 0.479
But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Romans 1:32 (KJV) — score 0.478
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Luke 6:9 (KJV) — score 0.477
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Genesis 2:17 (KJV) — score 0.476
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
2 Samuel 4:11 (KJV) — score 0.476
How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
Continue Research

Create your free account to run your own theological queries.

Sign up free