N10
We are prohibited from kidnapping anyone for any reason.
Category: Neighbours & Brothers
Type: Positive
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Romans 13:9
Key OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 24:7
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Exodus 20:13
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Exodus 21:16
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Leviticus 25:42
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Ephesians 4:28
- Matthew 19:17-19
Supportive OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 5:18
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Genesis 14:11-14
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Genesis 37:23-25
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Genesis 40:15
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Leviticus 19:11
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
Kidnapping (abduction) is essentially stealing a person. Coveting a person such as a servant or another man's wife is a state of mind that precedes the act of stealing or kidnapping. The Scriptures speak for themselves regarding the wrongfulness of kidnapping Israelites and all others as well.
Rabbi Daniel Juster
There is a special case of kidnapping - kidnapping for ransom - where it is not the person who is desired, but a reward for the return of the person. The reward sought might be monetary or something else, such as the release of a prisoner. In addition, there is the kidnapping of children, again for reward, but also for people who simply want a child and take someone else's. This was the case in Solomon's famous decision of the woman who lost her own baby and wanted to steal the other's. Both of these are serious crimes and require serious penalties.
Classical commentators
The mitzvot of Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch prohibit the kidnapping of Israelites only, and consider kidnapping to be stealing.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MN33
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2