Exodus 21:28-32
New English Translation
Laws about Animals
28 [a] “If an ox[b] gores a man or a woman so that either dies,[c] then the ox must surely[d] be stoned and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will be acquitted. 29 But if the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner was warned[e] but he did not take the necessary precautions,[f] and then it killed a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned and the man must be put to death. 30 If a ransom is set for him,[g] then he must pay the redemption for his life according to whatever amount was set for him. 31 If the ox[h] gores a son or a daughter, the owner[i] will be dealt with according to this rule.[j] 32 If the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, the owner[k] must pay thirty shekels of silver,[l] and the ox must be stoned.[m]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 21:28 sn The point that this section of the laws makes is that one must ensure the safety of others by controlling the circumstances.
- Exodus 21:28 tn Traditionally “ox,” but “bull” would also be suitable. The term may refer to one of any variety of large cattle.
- Exodus 21:28 tn Heb “and he dies”; KJV “that they die”; NAB, NASB “to death.”
- Exodus 21:28 tn The text uses סָקוֹל יִסָּקֵל (saqol yissaqel), a Qal infinitive absolute with a Niphal imperfect. The infinitive intensifies the imperfect, which here has an obligatory nuance or is a future of instruction.
- Exodus 21:29 tn The Hophal perfect has the idea of “attested, testified against.”
- Exodus 21:29 tn Heb “he was not keeping it” or perhaps guarding or watching it (referring to the ox).
- Exodus 21:30 sn The family of the victim would set the amount for the ransom of the man guilty of criminal neglect. This practice was common in the ancient world, rare in Israel. If the family allowed the substitute price, then the man would be able to redeem his life.
- Exodus 21:31 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the ox) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Exodus 21:31 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the owner) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Exodus 21:31 tn Heb “according to this judgment it shall be done to him.”
- Exodus 21:32 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the owner) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Exodus 21:32 sn A shekel was a unit for measure by means of a scale. Both the weight and the value of a shekel of silver are hard to determine. “Though there is no certainty, the shekel is said to weigh about 11,5 grams” (C. Houtman, Exodus, 3:181). Over 400 years earlier, Joseph was sold into Egypt for 20 shekels. The free Israelite citizen was worth about 50 shekels (Lev 27:3f.).
- Exodus 21:32 sn See further B. S. Jackson, “The Goring Ox Again [Ex. 21, 28-36],” JJP 18 (1974): 55-94.
Exodus 21:28-32
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Laws concerning Property
28 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable.(A) 29 If the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past and its owner has been warned but did not restrain it, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 If a ransom is imposed on the owner, then the owner shall pay whatever is imposed for the redemption of the victim’s life.(B) 31 If it gores a boy or a girl, the owner shall be dealt with according to this same rule. 32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall pay to the slaveowner thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.(C)
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