"to put to death, kill, stay, Mt. 23:31, 35; absol. to commit murder, Mt. 5:21"
Definition and meaning
to put to death, kill, stay, Mt. 23:31, 35; absol. to commit murder, Mt. 5:21
In the original Greek the word is written: φονεύω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of phoneuo (G5407) across the King James Bible.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G5407 (phoneuo) is a Greek word that means: to put to death, kill, stay, Mt. 23:31, 35; absol. to commit murder, Mt. 5:21 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word phoneuo (G5407) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5407 is phoneuo, a Greek word defined as: to put to death, kill, stay, Mt. 23:31, 35; absol. to commit murder, Mt. 5:21. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
phoneuo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.