Gen 9:6: shedding blood and the image of God

Says שֹׁפֵךְ דַּם הָאָדָם בָּאָדָם דָּמוֹ יִשָּׁפֵךְ, "whoever sheds the blood of man, בָּאָדָם, his blood shall be shed": the line turns on itself (sheds, blood, man; man, blood, shed), with the Qal participle שֹׁפֵךְ (shofekh) answered by the Niphal יִשָּׁפֵךְ. The reason follows: כִּי בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה אֶת־הָאָדָם, "for in the image of God He made man" ("in His own image," BSB, and "mankind" for הָאָדָם). BDB lists this verse with 1:26–27 for man "made in God's image."

Implies Human life is sacred because humans are made in God's image: the כִּי clause grounds the penalty in creation (1:26–27), not in a law given later, and it is said after the flood, so the image still holds of every human being.

Uncertain (1) בָּאָדָם (ba'adam): "by man," the agent ("by man," BSB), or "for man," in exchange for the life taken. Objection to the first: the verse names no court or office; to the second: it then says nothing of who sheds the blood. (2) The force of the sentence: a standing mandate for civil authority, a permission that also limits revenge, or a statement of what will happen. Objections: no procedure is given; the verb is a plain future; the line stands among God's commands (9:4–7). No lean is taken here.