φόνος (phonos)
phonos
murder
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun phonos refers specifically to the intentional killing of a human being, carrying the weight of murder rather than general slaughter or warfare. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts that highlight the gravity of taking life, such as when Jesus lists it among the evils that defile a person (Matthew 15:19) and Mark 7:21. The term is also used to describe the violent acts committed by those opposed to the early church, including the persecution led by Saul before his conversion (Acts 9:1).
This word often appears in lists of moral failures, underscoring its status as a severe breach of divine law. It is found in Romans 1:29 alongside other serious sins, and in Revelation 9:21 as part of the unrepentant behavior of those who refuse to turn from their deeds. The lexical data also notes its use in Hebrews 11:37, where it describes the suffering of prophets who were "slain with the sword," linking the concept directly to violent death.
Etymologically, phonos derives from an obsolete verb meaning to murder, emphasizing the act itself as a distinct category of wrongdoing. Its presence in ten verses across key books like Mark, Luke, and Romans shows that early Christian writers viewed this crime as a fundamental violation of human dignity and God's authority over life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word phonos points to the intentional taking of a human life, carrying a weight far heavier than accidental death or conflict in war. It is not used for soldiers fighting on a battlefield, but for the deliberate act of murder. This distinction matters because it highlights how seriously Scripture views the sanctity of life as something entrusted to God alone.
When Jesus lists phonos among the things that come from the human heart in Matthew 15:19, He reveals that this violence does not start with a weapon, but with internal attitudes. It grows from hatred and malice before it ever becomes an action. Understanding this helps us see that preserving life begins with guarding our own hearts against bitterness.
For those who follow Christ, this truth invites deep reflection on how we treat others. Since God is the author of life, harming another person is a direct offense against His authority. We are called to reject these destructive patterns and instead cultivate a spirit that honors the image of God in every person we meet.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- murder4×
- murders,2×
- murders2×
- slaughter1×
- murder,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φόνον3×
- φόνοι,3×
- φόνῳ1×
- φόνων1×
- φόνου,1×
- φόνου1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
This verse identifies phonos as originating from within the human heart, linking external violence to internal moral corruption.
-
Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
Here phonos is grouped with envy and strife, showing it as a symptom of a broader rejection of God's order.
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Galatians 5:21
envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
Paul warns that those who practice such acts, including murder, will not inherit the Kingdom, emphasizing its spiritual severity.
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Revelation of John 9:21
They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.
This occurrence highlights the stubborn refusal to repent from violent deeds even in the face of divine judgment.