Exodus 21:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

However, a ransom may be imposed on him; and the death penalty will be commuted if he pays the amount imposed.

Berean Standard Bible:

If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

American Standard Version:

If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If there be laid^{H7896} on him a sum of money^{H3724}, then he shall give^{H5414} for the ransom^{H6306} of his life^{H5315} whatsoever is laid^{H7896} upon him.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 21:30

Exodus 21:30 is part of a larger section in the book of Exodus commonly referred to as the Book of the Covenant, which contains a series of laws given by God to Moses for the Israelite community. This particular verse falls within a set of regulations concerning personal injuries and restitution.

The verse specifically addresses the case of a goring ox, an animal that has a history of being aggressive. The law distinguishes between an ox that has gored someone in the past (a "known" dangerous animal) and one that has not. If an ox gores a person to death and it was known to be dangerous, the ox was to be stoned to death, and its owner was also to be put to death unless a ransom was imposed. The verse in question, Exodus 21:30, states that if a ransom is set for the owner's life, he must pay whatever is demanded of him. This reflects the principle of just restitution and acknowledges the value of human life, while also providing a means for the owner to make amends and avoid the death penalty.

In its historical context, this law would have served several purposes: it established accountability for the owner of a dangerous animal, it provided a legal framework for dealing with accidental death, and it offered a form of monetary compensation as an alternative to retaliatory justice. The concept of a ransom reflects an early form of legal compensation for harm done, which was a common practice in the ancient Near East. It also illustrates the biblical theme of the sanctity of life and the need for justice to be balanced with mercy and the possibility of redemption.

In summary, Exodus 21:30 deals with the legal consequences of owning an animal known to be dangerous and the procedures for restitution if that animal kills someone. The verse emphasizes personal responsibility, the value of life, and the possibility of atonement through the payment of a ransom, themes that resonate with broader biblical principles of law, justice, and redemption.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7896
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁית
   Transliteration: shîyth
   Pronunciation: sheeth
   Description: a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application); apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3724
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּפֶר
   Transliteration: kôpher
   Pronunciation: ko'-fer
   Description: from כָּפַר; properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figuratively, a redemption-price; bribe, camphire, pitch, ransom, satisfaction, sum of money, village.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6306
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פִּדְיוֹם
   Transliteration: pidyôwm
   Pronunciation: pid-yome'
   Description: or פִּדְיֹם; also פִּדְיוֹן; or פִּדְיֹן; from פָּדָה; a ransom; ransom, that were redeemed, redemption.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.