Did you know: Bible teaches that an animal that kills a man should be killed

You may have heard about some nature enthusiasts being upset that a grizzly bear which killed a hiker recently is likely to be put down (killed) by Yellow Stone Park officials. There are any number of reasons why that might be a good idea. An hour ago it was confirmed that the bear was euthanized.

I thought this was fascinating. Did you know that the Bible states in Genesis that an animal that attacks and kills a man should be killed? It’s a little nugget often missed in the initiation of capital punishment:

“Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man.” Genesis 9:5 ASV

And another less scholarly but clear version:

“And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.” Genesis 9:5 New Living Translation

Just from a practical standpoint, it makes for smart animal husbandry. If an animal population were to start making a habit of killing and eating man-flesh (“Looks like meat’s back on the menu, boys!”), that population would quickly be in grave danger of being hunted down and obliterated by an angry population of humans. (See History)

A little more background on animals becoming afraid of humans after the flood (and after The Fall):

“The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given.” Genesis 9:2

And the curious hope of a future restoration of a paradise when all will be made right. Seriously, babies playing with cobras–how cool is that! O, and even lions become vegetarian:

Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea… Isaiah 11:7-9