King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If the ox gores a son or daughter, the same rule applies.
Berean Standard Bible:
If the ox gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.
American Standard Version:
Whether it have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Whether he have gored{H5055} a son{H1121}, or{H176} have gored{H5055} a daughter{H1323}, according to this judgment{H4941} shall it be done{H6213} unto him.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 21:31
**Exodus 21:31** is part of a larger section in the book of Exodus known as the Covenant Code (Exodus 20:22-23:33), which contains a series of laws governing various aspects of Israelite society. This particular verse falls within a set of laws concerning personal injury and liability, specifically dealing with the case of an ox goring someone to death.
**Themes:**
1. **Responsibility and Liability:** The verse emphasizes the responsibility of an ox owner for the actions of their animal. If the ox gores someone, the owner is held accountable, reflecting a broader theme of personal accountability within the community.
2. **Equity and Justice:** The law treats the goring of a son or daughter equally, indicating that justice is to be applied without regard to the gender or perceived value of the victim. This underscores the theme of equity and the intrinsic value of every human life.
3. **Restitution and Consequences:** The verse implies that there are consequences for causing harm, whether intentional or accidental. The owner must face "judgment," which could involve monetary compensation or, in some interpretations, even capital punishment if the animal was known to be dangerous and the owner did not take sufficient precautions.
**Historical Context:**
The laws in Exodus, including this one, were given to the Israelites after their escape from slavery in Egypt and were part of the covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. These laws were revolutionary for their time (c. 1400-1200 BCE), setting forth principles that aimed to protect the vulnerable, establish order, and reflect a moral and just society as envisioned by the covenant relationship with God.
The specific law about the goring ox is an example of case law, which was common in the ancient Near East. Similar laws are found in other ancient legal collections, such as the Code of Hammurabi. However, the Israelite law has unique features, including the emphasis on equitable treatment and the reflection of a broader ethical and religious framework that values human life and mandates proportionate and just consequences for harm done.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5055
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַח
Transliteration: nâgach
Pronunciation: naw-gakh'
Description: a primitive root; to butt with the horns; figuratively, to war against; gore, push (down, -ing). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H176
There are 110 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹ
Transliteration: ʼôw
Pronunciation: o
Description: presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ; short for אַוָּה; desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if; also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.