Exodus 21:34 kjv

The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

Exodus 21:34 nkjv

the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.

Exodus 21:34 niv

the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

Exodus 21:34 esv

the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.

Exodus 21:34 nlt

The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 34 Meaning

Exodus 21:34 lays down a specific civil law concerning property damage caused by negligence. It dictates that if a person digs a pit and fails to cover it, leading an animal belonging to another person to fall in and die, the pit's owner (the one who dug it) is fully responsible for the loss. This individual must compensate the animal's owner with money equivalent to its value. Furthermore, the carcass of the dead animal then becomes the property of the one who paid compensation, thus ensuring fair settlement and preventing double recovery.

Exodus 21 34 Context

Exodus chapter 21 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22 – 23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments, providing specific civil and criminal laws for ancient Israel. These laws cover various aspects of Israelite society, including the treatment of servants, personal injury, property rights, and social justice. They transition from broad moral principles to practical, legal applications for the community's daily life. Exodus 21:34 specifically falls within a section detailing liabilities for harm caused to others' property, particularly livestock (Exodus 21:28-36). In an agrarian society where livestock was the primary measure of wealth and sustenance, laws protecting animal property were crucial for social order and economic stability. These laws ensured justice for the injured party and promoted responsible conduct among community members. The underlying principle is one of personal responsibility and restitution for damage caused by negligence or failure to take reasonable precautions, reflecting God's order and justice for His people.

Exodus 21 34 Word analysis

• the owner of the pit: The Hebrew word implied here from the context is related to the verb חָפַר (ḥāfar), "to dig." The one who dug the pit is held liable. This immediately establishes direct personal responsibility for the action that created the hazard, linking cause and effect directly to an individual. It highlights that responsibility isn't deferred but squarely placed on the actor.
• shall make it good: יְשַׁלֵּם (yeshallēm), from the root שָׁלַם (shalem). This powerful root means "to be complete," "to be sound," "to be whole." In a legal context, it implies full restoration or repayment, not merely a penalty. The goal is to return the wronged party to their prior state, as if the loss had not occurred. This underscores the comprehensive nature of biblical justice, aiming for restoration rather than mere punishment.
• and give money: כֶּסֶף (kesef), meaning "silver" or "money." This specifies the form of restitution, indicating a monetary payment to compensate for the economic value of the lost animal. In ancient Israel, silver often functioned as a primary medium of exchange, representing tangible value. It demonstrates the pragmatic aspect of the law in a commodity-based economy.
• unto the owner of them: לִבְעָלָיו (liv'alāv), meaning "to its owner/master." This phrase clearly affirms private property rights in ancient Israelite society. The payment is directed specifically to the person who suffered the loss of their property, upholding individual ownership and ensuring rightful compensation.
• and the dead beast shall be his: וְהַמֵּת יִהְיֶה־לּוֹ (vəhammēṯ yihyeh-lō). This clause is critical. Once the negligent party pays compensation for the dead animal, the carcass becomes their property. This serves multiple purposes: (1) It prevents the original owner from profiting doubly (receiving payment and keeping the carcass which could still have some value, e.g., for hide or bone). (2) It transfers the responsibility for disposing of the carcass to the party who caused the death, which could be a burdensome task (e.g., to prevent contamination or scavengers). This provision illustrates the practical wisdom and fairness embedded within God's law, ensuring a complete and equitable resolution to the matter.

Exodus 21 34 Bonus section

The principles in Exodus 21:34 extend beyond a literal pit and an ox. They reveal foundational ethical and legal truths for the people of God. The law points to:

• The Weight of Negligence: It highlights that carelessness can have serious consequences, and failing to prevent foreseeable harm incurs responsibility. This resonates with broader biblical calls for wisdom and prudence in all actions.
• Preventive Responsibility: While not explicitly stated, the implication is that the law encourages preventive measures. If you dig a pit, you are morally and legally obligated to cover it, emphasizing a foresightful approach to one's actions and potential impacts on others.
• Echoes in Modern Law: The concept of civil liability for damages caused by negligence is a foundational principle in many modern legal systems, often rooted in historical legal codes, including those of the Bible. While modern laws are more complex, the core idea of requiring a negligent party to compensate for losses they cause remains.
• Theology of Ownership: God's laws recognize and protect private property. While all belongs to God, He permits humans to hold property and provides statutes to ensure fairness and prevent infringement upon the possessions of others.
• Love Your Neighbor Applied: In a practical sense, covering a pit or compensating for damages aligns with the greater commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18). Love demands care for their well-being and their possessions, and acting responsibly to prevent harm to them.

Exodus 21 34 Commentary

Exodus 21:34 is a profound illustration of God's concern for justice and responsibility within a community. It establishes a clear legal principle that negligence leading to harm or property damage must be compensated fully by the one responsible. The law mandates full restitution, demanding the one who created the hazard to restore the value of the damaged property to its owner. This goes beyond mere penalty, seeking to "make good" the loss suffered, reflecting the holistic nature of "shalom" (wholeness).

The transfer of the dead animal's carcass to the one paying compensation is a practical detail that reinforces the principle of complete financial and material resolution, preventing double benefit and shifting the burden of disposal appropriately. This statute reveals God's desire for an orderly and righteous society where individuals are held accountable for their actions and failures to act, promoting vigilance and care for the well-being and property of others. It underscores that freedom within the covenant does not permit irresponsibility, but rather requires a high standard of care for one's neighbor and their possessions. This legal precedent laid the groundwork for a societal framework built on fairness, personal accountability, and the protection of private property, all reflective of divine order.