Exodus 21:35 kjv

And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

Exodus 21:35 nkjv

"If one man's ox hurts another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money from it; and the dead ox they shall also divide.

Exodus 21:35 niv

"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.

Exodus 21:35 esv

"When one man's ox butts another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and share its price, and the dead beast also they shall share.

Exodus 21:35 nlt

"If someone's ox injures a neighbor's ox and the injured ox dies, then the two owners must sell the live ox and divide the price equally between them. They must also divide the dead animal.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 35 Meaning

Exodus 21:35 outlines a specific legal case regarding property damage caused by an animal, dictating the shared responsibility and compensation. When an ox, not previously known to be vicious, fatally injures another ox, neither owner is solely responsible for the entire loss. Instead, both parties must share equally in the economic consequences: the goring (live) ox is to be sold, and its monetary proceeds are divided between the two owners. Additionally, any salvageable value from the dead ox (such as its hide or meat) must also be equally divided. This law provides an equitable solution for accidental loss, aiming to prevent disproportionate burden on either party.

Exodus 21 35 Context

Exodus 21:35 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22-23:33), which outlines specific laws and statutes given to Israel immediately after the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. This section (Exod 21:28-36) particularly addresses damages and liabilities involving an ox. The law here makes a crucial distinction from earlier verses in the chapter. Unlike Exod 21:29, where an ox is known to be a habitual gorer and its owner could be held responsible with death or ransom if it killed a person, or Exod 21:36, where a known gorer kills another animal requiring full restitution, Exod 21:35 applies to a situation where the goring ox was not known to be dangerous. This implies an accidental incident without prior negligence on the part of the ox's owner. Historically and culturally, oxen were crucial assets in ancient agrarian societies, vital for plowing, threshing, and transport, representing significant wealth. Laws concerning their injury or death were therefore central to maintaining economic stability and communal harmony, distinguishing Israelite law by its emphasis on equitable sharing of unforeseen losses.

Exodus 21 35 Word analysis

• "When one man's ox hurts another's": This establishes the initial condition for the law's application. The phrasing denotes a specific scenario of inter-property damage where an ox, an animal of considerable value, causes injury to another of its kind.

• "ox" (שׁוֹר, shor): A male bovine, crucial for agriculture in ancient Israel, signifying both labor and a significant investment. Its loss or injury was a major economic event.

• "hurts" (נָגַף, nagaph): To strike, wound, or gore. This specific verb suggests an active but not necessarily premeditated action leading to harm. In this context, it implies an incident where the animal was not acting with known prior viciousness.

• "so that it dies": Specifies the fatal outcome, elevating the severity of the incident and necessitating significant legal intervention beyond simple injury.

• "then they shall sell the live ox": Refers to the goring ox. Unlike the ruling for a goring ox that kills a human (Exod 21:28) where it would be stoned, this ox is spared death. This implies the incident was an accident, and the animal's life, representing value, can be converted into compensation.

• "and divide the money": (וְחָצוּ אֶת־כַּסְפּוֹ, v'chatzu et-kaspô - "and they shall divide its money/silver"). This command mandates an equal split of the proceeds from selling the live (goring) ox between both owners. This crucial aspect demonstrates shared responsibility and risk, distributing the burden of the accidental loss.

• "and the dead ox also they shall divide": (וְאֶת־הַמֵּת יֶחֱצוּ, v'et-ha-met yecheztu - "and the dead one they shall divide"). This further underscores the equitable sharing. The salvagable parts of the killed ox (e.g., hide, usable meat) are also to be divided, ensuring that any remaining economic value is shared, minimizing the net loss for both parties involved in this unfortunate, accidental event.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "When one man's ox hurts another's so that it dies": This clause sets the foundational premise for the law: an accidental, fatal injury inflicted by one ox upon another. The wording excludes scenarios of owner negligence or premeditated action on the animal's part (i.e., being a "gorer").
  • "then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money": This provides the first part of the remedy. The responsible animal's inherent value is realized through sale, and the proceeds are evenly distributed. This demonstrates a pragmatic approach to justice, liquidating an asset to cover part of the collective loss.
  • "and the dead ox also they shall divide": This completes the compensation model by acknowledging any remaining value in the deceased animal. This principle emphasizes comprehensive shared loss mitigation, preventing total ruin for the owner of the deceased animal in an accidental incident and ensuring fairness for both parties.

Exodus 21 35 Bonus section

• Anomalous Incident: This law applies to what might be considered a "first-time" incident for the ox, or one where its goring tendency was not previously known by the owner. Such an animal, in Jewish law, would be called a tam (innocent, mild-mannered), contrasting with a mu'ad (accustomed to goring), for which different, stricter liabilities apply.
• Focus on Restitution: Unlike some Ancient Near Eastern legal codes that might impose harsh corporal punishments for property damage, Israelite law often prioritizes restitution and restoration, aiming to make the injured party whole and maintain communal peace. This verse is an example of a financial rather than a punitive remedy.
• Communal Harmony: The shared loss model promotes communal harmony. If one owner had to bear the full burden, it could create bitterness and destroy neighborly relations. The equal division encourages cooperation in resolving unforeseen difficulties.

Exodus 21 35 Commentary

Exodus 21:35 serves as a clear illustration of God's just and equitable legal principles governing civil disputes within ancient Israel. It specifically addresses a scenario where an animal, not known for aggressive behavior, accidentally causes fatal harm to another animal. The genius of this law lies in its proportionate and pragmatic solution: it avoids total financial ruin for one party in an unforeseeable incident. By mandating the sale of the live (goring) ox and the division of its proceeds, along with any salvageable parts of the dead ox, the law equally distributes the economic impact of the accident. This contrasts sharply with cases of proven negligence or known viciousness (as seen in Exod 21:29 or 21:36), where liability shifts to the negligent owner. The verse highlights Mosaic law's concern for fair restitution, community cohesion, and the prevention of disproportionate hardship, reflecting a divine wisdom that provides a balanced approach to the unexpected occurrences of daily life in an agrarian society. It undergirds the biblical ethic of shared burden and compassionate justice.