Property Rights

33 “Now if someone opens a pit, or [a]digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall [b]give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

35 “And if someone’s ox injures another’s ox so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its proceeds equally; and they shall also divide the dead ox. 36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he must make restitution of ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:33 Lit if a man digs
  2. Exodus 21:34 Lit give back

33 “If someone leaves a pit open or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,(A) 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution, giving money to its owner but keeping the dead animal.

35 “If someone’s ox hurts the ox of another, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the price of it, and the dead animal they shall also divide. 36 But if it was known that the ox was accustomed to gore in the past and its owner did not restrain it, the owner shall restore ox for ox but keep the dead animal.

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