### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **naggâch**, represented by `{{H5056}}`, describes something that is "butting" or "vicious." It is used to characterize an animal, specifically an ox, that is "wont to push" with its horns. This term appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses**, both within the legal codes of the Old Testament.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H5056}}` is a legal classification for an animal with a known history of aggression. The term appears in the context of laws determining liability if an ox causes harm. If an ox was known to be **wont to push** [[Exodus 21:29]] and its owner failed to restrain it, the owner was held responsible for any resulting death, even to the point of being put to death themselves. The law differentiates based on this foreknowledge, as the same standard applies if "it be known that the ox hath **used to push** in time past" [[Exodus 21:36]], requiring the negligent owner to make restitution.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide essential context for the legal and physical circumstances surrounding `{{H5056}}`:
* `{{H7794}}` **shôwr** (a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall): This is the specific animal described as being **naggâch**. The ox is a significant animal in biblical law, often mentioned as a form of property and a measure of wealth [[Exodus 20:17]].
* `{{H4191}}` **mûwth** (a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill): This word describes the severe consequence of an attack by a **naggâch** ox. If the animal "hath killed a man or a woman," both the ox and its negligent owner could be "put to death" [[Exodus 21:29]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5056}}` is found in the principles of justice and responsibility it underpins.
* **Personal Responsibility:** The core concept is accountability. The owner's guilt is established not by the ox's action alone, but by the owner's prior knowledge of its dangerous nature ("if it be known") combined with a failure to act ("hath not kept him in") ([[Exodus 21:29]], [[Exodus 21:36]]).
* **Sanctity of Life:** The law demonstrates the high value placed on human life. When a **naggâch** ox kills a person, the penalty for the negligent owner is potentially capital punishment, a far more severe consequence than the mere restitution required for the loss of property [[Exodus 21:29]].
* **Justice and Due Process:** The use of `{{H5056}}` shows a system of law that considers intent and negligence. The consequences are directly tied to what was "testified to his owner," highlighting a requirement for evidence and establishing a clear basis for judgment [[Exodus 21:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5056}}` is more than a simple description of an animal's behavior; it is a specific legal term that establishes a history of viciousness. Its use in scripture is confined to laws that powerfully illustrate the biblical principles of personal responsibility for known dangers, the supreme value of human life, and the application of measured justice within the community.
TRV