Exodus 21:32 kjv

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 21:32 nkjv

If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exodus 21:32 niv

If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

Exodus 21:32 esv

If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exodus 21:32 nlt

But if the ox gores a slave, either male or female, the animal's owner must pay the slave's owner thirty silver coins, and the ox must be stoned.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 32 Meaning

Exodus 21:32 mandates the specific consequence when a goring ox, not previously known to be dangerous, fatally wounds a male or female slave. In such a case, the ox's owner is liable to pay thirty shekels of silver to the slave's master as compensation. Furthermore, the dangerous ox itself must be publicly executed by stoning. This statute highlights principles of justice, property liability, and the established value of a human life, even one in servitude, within the Mosaic Law.

Exodus 21 32 Context

Exodus 21 inaugurates the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22–23:33), providing detailed civil and social laws that elaborate on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following the foundational moral principles, these case laws apply abstract ethical demands to specific, practical situations within Israelite society. The chapter particularly deals with various types of assault, property damage, and the rights and responsibilities related to slaves, animals, and restitution. Verse 32, regarding a goring ox killing a slave, falls under the category of accidental harm caused by property (an ox), requiring restitution and punishment for the offending animal, thereby ensuring both justice for the injured party and public safety within the community.

Exodus 21 32 Word analysis

• If (כִּי ki): Introduces a conditional clause, typical of case law (casuistic law) found throughout the Book of the Covenant. It presents a hypothetical situation to which a specific legal response is prescribed.
• the ox (הַשּׁוֹר hashshor): Refers to a mature bovine animal, typically used for work (plowing, hauling). Its Hebrew root suggests "looking," perhaps due to its common sight. As valuable property in an agrarian society, the owner's responsibility for its actions is crucial.
• gores (יִגַּח yiggach): From the verb nagach (נָגַח), meaning to push, gore, or butt. It implies a violent action with its horns. The context specifies a lethal goring, leading to death.
• a male or female slave (עֶבֶד אוֹ־אָמָה eved o-amah): Eved (עֶבֶד) is a male slave or servant; amah (אָמָה) is a female slave or servant. This specifies the victim's social status as property of another person, yet still acknowledging their humanity. While they were not free citizens, the law nonetheless assigns them value and dictates consequences for their harm. This sets Israelite law apart from some surrounding legal codes which might treat a slave's life with less regard.
• the owner (בְּעָלָיו be'alav): From ba'al (בַּעַל), meaning master, owner, or lord. This signifies the person who holds ownership and, by extension, responsibility for the actions of their property. It highlights direct accountability for the dangers posed by their possessions.
• shall give (וְנָתַן venatan): From natan (נָתַן), meaning to give, place, or pay. It commands a specific payment as restitution or compensation.
• to their master (לַאדֹנָיו laadonayv): Adon (אָדוֹן) means lord, master, or owner. This distinguishes between the owner of the ox and the master of the slave, clarifying who receives the compensation for the loss of property. The compensation goes to the one who suffered the economic loss.
• thirty shekels (שְׁלֹשִׁים שֶׁקֶל shloshim sheqel): Shloshim (שלושים) means thirty, and sheqel (שקל) refers to a unit of weight, not a coin, typically about 11.4 grams of silver. This specific amount was a recognized monetary value in ancient Israel, often associated with the price of a slave. Its precise nature provided clarity and prevented arbitrary judgments.
• of silver (כָּסֶף kesef): The standard medium of exchange and value. Silver was universally accepted for commercial transactions.
• and the ox shall be stoned (וְהַשּׁוֹר יִסָּקֵל vehasshor yissaqel): From saqal (סָקַל), to stone to death. This part of the judgment against the ox itself. The animal, though not morally culpable, is deemed dangerous and executed to prevent further harm and perhaps as a purification measure. This action ensures public safety and underscores the severity of the loss of a human life.

Exodus 21 32 Bonus section

The meticulous detail of these Mosaic laws reflects a divinely-ordered society where every life, regardless of social status, held a degree of value in God's eyes, and owners were to be prudent in managing their possessions to prevent harm. While the Israelite concept of slavery was different from later forms, God’s Law established regulations designed to mitigate its harshest aspects, provide protection for slaves, and ensure some level of justice even for the most vulnerable. This focus on ethical treatment for all people, alongside a strict framework of restitution and accountability, set Israel's legal system apart in the ancient world, pointing towards a standard of righteousness far surpassing its contemporaries.

Exodus 21 32 Commentary

Exodus 21:32 provides a specific case law revealing several profound theological and practical principles within Israel's legal framework. Firstly, it emphasizes the principle of accountability: an owner is held responsible for the dangers posed by their property, particularly if that property causes harm. Even without explicit negligence, the owner bears the financial burden. This reflects God's concern for justice and public safety.

Secondly, the stipulated compensation of thirty shekels of silver is highly significant. This amount appears elsewhere in the Law as the valuation for a female slave (Lev 27:3), aligning the victim's compensation with an established legal monetary value. Critically, it reflects that even though a slave was considered property, the Mosaic Law assigns them a clear, legally protected human value that distinguishes it from other ancient Near Eastern codes which sometimes valued a slave's life at a lower rate or did not recognize their legal standing as readily. God's Law shows concern for the vulnerable.

Furthermore, the command that the ox "shall be stoned" illustrates God's strong regard for human life. The animal is treated as if it committed a capital offense, purged from the community because it shed human blood (cf. Gen 9:5). This punitive action against the animal serves not only as a deterrent but also ensures the elimination of a public danger, preventing future fatalities. The execution of the ox, a valuable asset, also constitutes a significant loss for its owner, acting as an additional, indirect penalty.

The future prophetic echo of the "thirty pieces of silver" in Zechariah 11:12-13 and its New Testament fulfillment in Judas' betrayal of Jesus (Matt 26:15, 27:3-10) adds another layer of profound meaning. The standard price of a slave becomes the price of the Messiah, highlighting the low estimation placed upon Him by His betrayer, ironically reflecting the prophetic role of a despised "good shepherd." This deep connection underlines a cosmic devaluation of the Most High that parallels the terrestrial valuation of a servant's life.