Exodus 21:29

Verse

But if the ox has a habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or woman, then the ox must be stoned and its owner must also be put to death.

American Standard Version (1901)

But if the ox was wont to gore in time past, and it hath been testified to its owner, and he hath not kept it in, but it hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.

Bible in Basic English

But if the ox has frequently done such damage in the past, and the owner has had word of it and has not kept it under control, so that it has been the cause of the death of a man or woman, not only is the ox to be stoned, but its owner is to be put to death.

Douay-Rheims 1899

But if the ox was wont to push with his horn yesterday and the day before, and they warned his master, and he did not shut him up, and he shall kill a man or a woman: then the ox shall be stoned, an his owner also shall be put to death.

Free Bible Version

But if the ox has repeatedly hurt people with its horns, and its owner has been warned but still doesn't keep it under control, and it kills a man or woman, then the ox must be stoned to death and its owner must also be executed.

Geneva Bible 1599

If the oxe were wont to push in times past, and it hath bene tolde his master, and hee hath not kept him, and after he killeth a man or a woman, the oxe shall be stoned, and his owner shall die also.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and it has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.

Translation for Translators

But suppose the bull had attacked people several times before, and its owner had been warned, but he did not keep the bull inside a fence. Then you must kill the bull by throwing stones at it, but you must also execute its owner.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if the ox had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner was warned but did not keep it in, and the ox has killed a man or a woman, that ox must be stoned, and its owner also must be put to death.

Noah Webster Bible

But if the ox was accustomed to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not restrained him, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

World English Bible

But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and this has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

and if the ox is [one] accustomed to gore heretofore, and it hath been testified to its owner, and he doth not watch it, and it hath put to death a man or woman, the ox is stoned, and its owner also is put to death.

Context

Personal Injury Laws

²⁸If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall not be held responsible.²⁹But if the ox has a habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or woman, then the ox must be stoned and its owner must also be put to death.³⁰If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

Summary

Exodus 21:29 outlines the consequences for an owner whose ox has gored someone to death. The owner is to be punished, with the severity of the punishment dependent on whether the ox had a history of goring. This verse reflects the importance of accountability and responsibility in the community, emphasizing the need for caution and prevention of harm. It also underscores the value of human life and the principle of justice in dealing with accidents or incidents that result in harm to others.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if the ox were wont to push with his horns in time past,.... Or "from or before yesterday, to the third" (m) that is, three days before, and had made three pushes, as Jarchi explains it: and it hath been testified to his owner; by sufficient witnesses, who saw him push at people for three days past: the Targum of Jonathan is,"and it hath been testified to the face of his owner three days.''Concerning this testimony Maimonides (n) thus writes,"this is a testification, all that testify of it three days; but if he pushes, or bites, or kicks, or strikes even an hundred times on one day, this is no testification (not a sufficient one): three companies of witnesses testify of it in one day, lo, this is a doubt, whether it is a (proper) testimony or not; there is no testification but before the owner, and before the sanhedrim:" and he hath not kept him in; in some enclosed place, house or field, not frequented by people, and where there was no danger of doing any hurt, if this care was not taken, after a proper testimony had been given of his vicious disposition. By the Roman laws (o) oxen that pushed with their horns were to have hay bound about them, that those that met them might beware of them; hence that of Horace (p): but that he hath killed a man or a woman; by pushing and goring them with his horns, or any other way, as biting or kicking: the ox shall be stoned; as is provided for the preceding law: and his owner shall be put to death; since he was accessory to the death of the person killed, not keeping in his beast, when he had sufficient notice of his vicious temper: the Targum of Jonathan, and so other Jewish writers, interpret this of death sent upon him from heaven, or death by the immediate hand of God, as sudden death, or death by some disease inflicted, or before a man is fifty years of age; but there is no doubt to be made but this intends death by the civil magistrate, according to the original law, Gen 9:6. (m) "ab heri et nudiustertius", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Piscator, Drusius. (n) Hilchot Niske Mammon, c. 6. sect. 1, 2. (o) Plutarch. in Crasso. (p) "Foenum habet in cornu, longe fuge". Horat. Sermon. l. 1. Satyr. 4.