King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The owner of the pit shall make [it] good, [and] give money unto the owner of them; and the dead [beast] shall be his.
Complete Jewish Bible:
the owner of the cistern must make good the loss by compensating the animal's owner; but the dead animal will be his.
Berean Standard Bible:
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.
American Standard Version:
the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money unto the owner thereof, and the dead beast shall be his.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The owner{H1167} of the pit{H953} shall make it good{H7999}, and give{H7725} money{H3701} unto the owner{H1167} of them; and the dead{H4191} beast shall be his.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 22:14
- And if a man borrow [ought] of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof [being] not with it, he shall surely make [it] good.
Exodus 21:29
- 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.
Exodus 21:30
- 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.
Exodus 22:6
- If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed [therewith]; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 21:34
1. Themes:
- Responsibility and restitution: Exodus 21:34 addresses the concept of personal accountability, particularly in cases of negligence. The law requires that an individual who digs a pit and leaves it uncovered must take full responsibility for the consequences of their actions, such as the injury or death of another's animal that falls into it.
- Justice and compensation: The verse emphasizes fairness and justice by mandating that the owner of the pit must compensate the owner of the animal for their loss. This reflects a broader biblical theme of seeking justice and making amends for wrongdoing.
- Property rights: The law acknowledges and protects the property rights of individuals, ensuring that owners are compensated for damages to their possessions.
2. Historical Context:
- The legal framework of ancient Israel: This verse is part of the Covenant Code, a series of laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, which provided guidelines for civil and moral conduct. These laws were designed to govern the social and economic life of the Israelite community.
- Agrarian society: The ancient Israelite society was primarily agrarian, with livestock being a crucial component of an individual's wealth and livelihood. The protection of animals was therefore essential for the economic stability of the people.
- The Book of the Covenant: Exodus 21-23 is often referred to as the "Book of the Covenant," which includes a variety of laws, both civil and religious. These laws reflect the values and norms of ancient Israelite society and provide insight into their legal and ethical standards.
In summary, Exodus 21:34 reflects themes of personal responsibility, justice, and the protection of property rights within the historical context of the legal and social framework of ancient Israelite society.
*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: H1167
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּעַל
Transliteration: baʻal
Pronunciation: bah'-al
Description: from בָּעַל; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense); [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. - 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. - Strong's Number: H7999
There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַם
Transliteration: shâlam
Pronunciation: shaw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications); make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H3701
There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּסֶף
Transliteration: keçeph
Pronunciation: keh'-sef
Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling). - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.