Exodus 21:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If someone removes the cover from a cistern or digs one and fails to cover it, and an ox or donkey falls in,

Berean Standard Bible:

If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

American Standard Version:

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if a man^{H376} shall open^{H6605} a pit^{H953}, or if a man^{H376} shall dig^{H3738} a pit^{H953}, and not cover^{H3680} it, and an ox^{H7794} or an ass^{H2543} fall^{H5307} therein;

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 21:33

Exodus 21:33 is part of a larger section in the book of Exodus commonly referred to as the Covenant Code, which contains a series of laws that were to govern the Israelite community after their exodus from Egypt and as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This particular verse falls within a subset of laws concerning property rights and personal responsibility.

The verse addresses the issue of negligence in the context of property ownership. It outlines a scenario where an individual digs a pit or opens one that was previously covered, and fails to take the necessary precautions to prevent harm by not covering it properly. Consequently, if an animal such as an ox or a donkey, which would have been valuable property in an agrarian society, falls into the uncovered pit and is injured or killed, the owner of the pit is held accountable.

The historical context of this law would have been crucial in a society where livestock was a significant part of an individual's wealth and livelihood. The principle underlying this verse is that of personal responsibility and the protection of one's neighbor's property. It reflects a broader theme in the Old Testament of promoting communal safety and justice by holding individuals accountable for their actions or inactions that could lead to loss or harm.

In summary, Exodus 21:33 emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's property and actions to prevent harm to others' property. It serves as a legal guideline to ensure restitution and maintain social order and justice within the community. This specific law would have helped to manage the risks associated with daily activities and to ensure that individuals were fairly compensated for losses due to another's negligence.

*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: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
3. Strong's Number: H953
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹר
   Transliteration: bôwr
   Pronunciation: bore
   Description: from בּוּר (in the sense of בֹּאר); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison); cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3738
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּרָה
   Transliteration: kârâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open; dig, [idiom] make (a banquet), open.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7794
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוֹר
   Transliteration: shôwr
   Pronunciation: shore
   Description: from שׁוּר; a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for שׁוּר).
   
7. Strong's Number: H2543
   There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֲמוֹר
   Transliteration: chămôwr
   Pronunciation: kham-ore'
   Description: or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5307
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָפַל
   Transliteration: nâphal
   Pronunciation: naw-fal'
   Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down.