Thomas Hieke, «Das Alte Testament und die Todesstrafe», Vol. 85 (2004) 349-374
Rather than understanding the Old Testament sanction
tmwy twm ("he shall surely be put to death") as a
death penalty edict, one should see it as a parenetic warning. Comparing the
verses which contain mot yumat with the few references to death sentences
and executions, it is to be doubted whether this condemnation was indeed
applicable. The ‘death edicts’ are therefore not ‘law,’ but divine dicta
functioning as deterrents. They formulate things that should not happen under
any circumstances. Hence, they underscore the most important ethical and cultic
maxims.
374 Thomas Hieke
ethische Grundregeln einschärfen wollen. Es geht — trotz der harten
Worte — letztlich um Paränese, um Ermahnung und Warnung. Daher
ist auch aus dem Alten Testament die Todesstrafe nicht zu begründen.
Universität Regensburg Thomas HIEKE
Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät
D-93040 Regensburg
SUMMARY
Rather than understanding the Old Testament sanction tmwy twm (“he shall surely
be put to deathâ€) as a death penalty edict, one should see it as a parenetic warning.
Comparing the verses which contain mot yumat with the few references to death
sentences and executions, it is to be doubted whether this condemnation was
indeed applicable. The ‘death edicts’ are therefore not ‘law,’ but divine dicta
functioning as deterrents. They formulate things that should not happen under any
circumstances. Hence, they underscore the most important ethical and cultic
maxims.