28 “Now if an ox gores a man or a woman [a]to death, (A)the ox shall certainly be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished. 29 If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine 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 [b]demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is [c]demanded of him. 31 Whether it gores a son or [d]a daughter, it shall be done to him according to [e]the same rule. 32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, [f]the owner shall give his or her master [g](B)thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Property Rights

33 “Now if someone opens a pit, or [h]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 [i]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 21:28 Lit so that he dies
  2. Exodus 21:30 Lit laid on him
  3. Exodus 21:30 Lit laid on him
  4. Exodus 21:31 Lit gores a daughter
  5. Exodus 21:31 Lit this judgment
  6. Exodus 21:32 Lit he
  7. Exodus 21:32 About 15 oz. or 425 gm
  8. Exodus 21:33 Lit if a man digs
  9. Exodus 21:34 Lit give back

28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,(A) and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up(B) and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.(C) 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels[a](D) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(E) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(F) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces or about 345 grams