Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num. 35:16, Num. 35: 18, 21, 31; Lev. 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen. 9:5, Gen. 9: 6; John 8:44; 1-John 3:12, 1-John 3: 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Exo 21:12, Exo 21: 14; Deut. 19:11, Deut. 19: 13; 2-Sam 17:25;20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Num. 35:19; Deut. 17:6). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city nearest the scene of the murder was required to make expiation for the crime committed (Deut. 21:1). These offences also were to be punished with death, (1) striking a parent; (2) cursing a parent; (3) kidnapping (Exo 21:15; Deut. 27:16).