King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But if it is known that the ox was in the habit of goring in the past, and the owner did not confine it; he must pay ox for ox, but the dead animal will be his.
Berean Standard Bible:
But if it was known that the ox had a habit of goring, yet its owner failed to restrain it, he shall pay full compensation, ox for ox, and the dead animal will be his.
American Standard Version:
Or if it be known that the ox was wont to gore in time past, and its owner hath not kept it in; he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his own.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Or if it be known{H3045} that the ox{H7794} hath used to push{H5056} in time past{H8543}{H8032}, and his owner{H1167} hath not kept{H8104} him in; he shall surely{H7999} pay{H7999} ox{H7794} for ox{H7794}; and the dead{H4191} shall be his own.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Exodus 21:36
1. **Themes:**
- **Responsibility and Accountability:** Exodus 21:36 emphasizes the importance of an owner's responsibility for their animals. If an ox is known to be aggressive and has a history of goring, the owner is accountable for any damage or harm it causes.
- **Justice and Restitution:** The verse reflects a principle of justice where restitution is made according to the damage done. The owner must compensate the victim by giving them an ox in place of the one that was killed.
- **Property Rights:** The law also underscores the value of property rights, as the dead ox is to remain the property of the owner who failed to restrain their animal.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Laws of the Ancient Near East:** This verse is part of the Covenant Code, which includes laws given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws were designed to govern the community and reflect some similarities to other ancient Near Eastern legal collections, though with distinctive Israelite theology and ethics.
- **Agrarian Society:** The laws, including this one, are tailored to an agrarian society where oxen were valuable assets for farming. The regulations would have been practical for maintaining order and fairness among the people.
- **Preventive Measures:** The command to keep a known aggressive ox from causing harm suggests that there was an expectation for individuals to take preventive measures to protect their community from potential harm.
In summary, Exodus 21:36 presents a law that holds individuals accountable for the actions of their property, ensuring justice through restitution and upholding the rights and responsibilities within an ancient agrarian community.
*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: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - 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: H5056
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַגָּח
Transliteration: naggâch
Pronunciation: nag-gawkh'
Description: from נָגַח; butting, i.e. vicious; used (wont) to push. - Strong's Number: H8543
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּמוֹל
Transliteration: tᵉmôwl
Pronunciation: tem-ole'
Description: or תְּמֹל; probably for אֶתְמוֹל; sometimes with שִׁלְשׁוֹם; properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday; [phrase] before (-time), [phrase] these (three) days, [phrase] heretofore, [phrase] time past, yesterday. - Strong's Number: H8032
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁלְשׁוֹם
Transliteration: shilshôwm
Pronunciation: shil-shome'
Description: or שִׁלְשֹׁם; from the same as שֶׁלֶשׁ; trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday; [phrase] before (that time, -time), excellent things (from the margin), [phrase] heretofore, three days, [phrase] time past. - 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: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). - 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: 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.