King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead [ox] also they shall divide.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"If one person's ox hurts another's, so that it dies, they are to sell the live ox and divide the revenue from the sale; and they are also to divide the dead animal.
Berean Standard Bible:
If a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s ox and it dies, they must sell the live one and divide the proceeds; they also must divide the dead animal.
American Standard Version:
And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, so that it dieth, then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the price of it; and the dead also they shall divide.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And if one man's{H376} ox{H7794} hurt{H5062} another's{H7453}, that he die{H4191}; then they shall sell{H4376} the live{H2416} ox{H7794}, and divide{H2673} the money{H3701} of it; and the dead{H4191} ox also they shall divide{H2673}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 21:35
**Themes:**
Exodus 21:35 reflects several themes:
1. **Responsibility and Restitution:** The verse emphasizes personal responsibility for one's property and the requirement to make amends for damages caused by that property.
2. **Justice and Fairness:** The law seeks to ensure a fair resolution to the conflict, where both parties receive compensation for their loss.
3. **Value of Life and Property:** It illustrates the value placed on livestock, which were essential to the economy and livelihood of the ancient Israelites.
4. **Community Order:** By providing a clear procedure for handling such incidents, the verse contributes to maintaining order and reducing potential feuds within the community.
**Historical Context:**
The historical context of Exodus 21:35 is set within the broader legal framework known as the Covenant Code, which includes Exodus 20:22 through Exodus 23:33. This code was given to the Israelites after their escape from slavery in Egypt, as they were forming themselves into a nation under God's guidance.
During this time, oxen were valuable assets used for plowing, transportation, and as a source of wealth. Thus, the loss or injury of an ox was a significant economic setback. The laws provided in Exodus, including those dealing with personal injury and property damage, were designed to establish a just society that protected individual rights and ensured communal harmony.
The specific regulation in Exodus 21:35 addresses a situation where one ox kills another. The remedy is practical: the live ox is sold, and the proceeds, along with the carcass of the dead ox, are divided between the two owners. This law would have been particularly relevant in an agrarian society where such incidents were likely more common.
In summary, Exodus 21:35 is part of the ancient Israelite legal system, designed to maintain social order and ensure fair compensation for damages, reflecting the larger biblical themes of justice, stewardship, and communal responsibility.
*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: 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. - 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). - Strong's Number: H5062
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַף
Transliteration: nâgaph
Pronunciation: naw-gaf'
Description: a primitive root; to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease); beat, dash, hurt, plague, slay, smite (down), strike, stumble, [idiom] surely, put to the worse. - Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. - 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. - Strong's Number: H4376
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָכַר
Transliteration: mâkar
Pronunciation: maw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H2673
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצָה
Transliteration: châtsâh
Pronunciation: khaw-tsaw'
Description: lemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה; a primitive root (compare זֵד)); to cut or split in two; to halve; divide, [idiom] live out half, reach to the midst, participle - 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).