Explore the Bible Online

Exodus 21:28-32

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

28. If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox [shall be] quit. 29. But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. 30. If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. 31. Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. 32. If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exodus 21:28-32 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 21:28

Theological / Devotional

If an ox gore. To establish as firmly as possible the principle of the sacredness of human life, Moses takes up in vs. 28-32 injuries caused by domestic animals. Echoing the declaration already made to Noah (Gen. 9:5), the ox must be killed, but the owner is “clear” (RSV). Not being killed in the manner required, the animal might not be eaten. Furthermore, the animal was under a curse. According to rabbinical expositors it was not even lawful to sell the carcass to the Gentiles. By being “stoned” to death, the ox suffered the same penalty that would have been imposed upon a human murderer.

By SdaBc