The biblical verses Isaiah 66:3 and Exodus 20:13 provide compelling evidence that the killing of innocent creatures is morally and spiritually indefensible.
He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck… like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations (Isaiah 66:3 ESV)
In Isaiah 66:3, the prophet draws an explicit parallel between the killing of an animal and the taking of human life. This striking comparison suggests that God does not view violence against animals as trivial but instead sees it as an act of grave moral significance. The passage condemns animal sacrifice, equating it with idolatry and abomination, which implies that any act of slaughter is fundamentally at odds with divine will.
Similarly, the Sixth Commandment issued by God and reiterated by Jesus, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13 KJV; Matthew 19:18 KJV), has often been narrowly interpreted to refer only to human homicide. However, linguistic and theological analysis suggests a broader meaning. The original Hebrew phrase “Lo tirtzakh” does not exclusively denote unlawful human murder but rather encompasses any intentional killing. Reuben Alcalay (1981), a prominent linguist in ancient Hebrew, affirms that this commandment prohibits “any kind of killing whatsoever”, including that of sentient non-human beings (see Rosen 2004:87). This interpretation aligns with a more compassionate and holistic reading of scripture, one that upholds the sanctity of all life.
Jesus’ teachings further reinforce this expansive moral vision. In Matthew 5:21-22, he deepens the commandment against killing by extending its scope beyond physical violence to include anger and hatred. If even harmful emotions are condemned, how much more would the unnecessary killing of innocent animals be? This perspective aligns with the broader biblical call for mercy and righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 12:10, which states, “The righteous man cares for the life of his animal.”
Traditional interpretations that limit “Thou shalt not kill” to human life reflect anthropocentric biases rather than divine truth. Scholars like Andrew Linzey (1995) and David Clough (2012) argue that this reflects a speciesist mindset, where human interests are prioritized over those of other sentient beings.
By recognizing the intrinsic value of all life, a more just and faithful reading of these two verses advocates for a more inclusive and compassionate ethical framework that extends the prohibition of killing to all creatures. Thus, for God’s sake, go vegan, NOW, if you haven’t already.
Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/to-slaughter-an-ox-is-like-killing-a-human-by-dr-chapman-chen
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