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.

If there be laid {H7896} on him a sum of money {H3724}, then he shall give {H5414} for the ransom {H6306} of his life {H5315} whatsoever is laid {H7896} upon him.

However, a ransom may be imposed on him; and the death penalty will be commuted if he pays the amount imposed.

If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Commentary

Context of Exodus 21:30

Exodus 21:30 is part of the extensive legal code given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing the foundational laws for the nation of Israel. Specifically, this verse falls within a section addressing personal injury and property damage, immediately following the statute concerning an ox that fatally gored a person (Exodus 21:28-29). If an ox, known to be dangerous, gored someone to death and its owner had failed to keep it under control, the owner was initially liable to be put to death. This severe penalty underscored the sanctity of human life under the Mosaic Law. Verse 30 introduces a crucial provision for mercy and restitution.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Justice and Mercy: The law demonstrates a divine balance between strict justice and the provision for mercy. While the initial penalty for negligence resulting in death was capital punishment, this verse allows for an alternative: a monetary payment. This shows God's law is not solely punitive but also offers pathways for atonement and reconciliation where appropriate.
  • Value of Human Life: The very fact that the owner's life was initially forfeit for the death caused by his negligence highlights the immense value God places on human life. The possibility of a ransom acknowledges this value by requiring a significant compensation.
  • The Concept of Ransom: This verse introduces the concept of a "ransom" or "redemption price." It is a payment made to avert a penalty, specifically death. This Old Testament legal principle serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate spiritual ransom paid by Jesus Christ, who gave His life to redeem humanity from the penalty of sin (1 Timothy 2:6).

Linguistic Insights

The key Hebrew word in this verse is ื›ึนึผืคึถืจ (kofer), translated as "ransom." This term signifies a covering, a price of a life, or an atonement. It's distinct from other words for payment in that it specifically refers to a substitute or compensation given to avert a consequence, especially a death penalty. In this context, the kofer served as a legal substitute for the owner's life, preventing his execution. This concept of a covering or atonement is central to understanding the biblical narrative of redemption.

Practical Application and Reflection

Exodus 21:30, though part of ancient Israelite law, offers timeless principles. It teaches us about:

  1. Responsibility and Accountability: We are held responsible for the consequences of our negligence, even if unintended. God's laws call for carefulness and respect for the well-being of others.
  2. The Gravity of Life: The high value placed on human life in God's law underscores its sanctity. This principle should inform our attitudes and actions in all areas of life.
  3. Divine Grace and Redemption: The provision for a ransom, while specific to the legal context, points to a broader truth: God often provides a way for redemption and reconciliation, even when severe penalties are due. This finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament, where God's love provided the perfect ransom through Christ's sacrifice, freeing us from the death penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). Unlike the limited human ability to pay a ransom for a soul (Psalm 49:7-8), Christ's sacrifice was perfectly sufficient.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 21:22 (4 votes)

    ยถ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart [from her], and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges [determine].

  • Exodus 30:12 (3 votes)

    When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when [thou] numberest them.

  • Numbers 35:31 (3 votes)

    Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which [is] guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

  • Numbers 35:33 (3 votes)

    So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye [are]: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

  • Proverbs 13:8 (2 votes)

    ยถ The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.