Exodus 21:33

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

And if a man {H376} shall open {H6605} a pit {H953}, or if a man {H376} shall dig {H3738} a pit {H953}, and not cover {H3680} it, and an ox {H7794} or an ass {H2543} fall {H5307} therein;

"If someone removes the cover from a cistern or digs one and fails to cover it, and an ox or donkey falls in,

If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein,

Commentary

Exodus 21:33 introduces a specific civil law within the ancient Israelite society, focusing on accountability for negligence. This verse, part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 21-23), outlines a scenario where an individual’s lack of care leads to harm to another’s property.

Context

Following the foundational Ten Commandments, God provided Moses with detailed statutes governing daily life, social interactions, and legal disputes. These laws were designed to establish a just and orderly society, reflecting God's character and promoting the well-being of the community. Exodus 21:33 specifically addresses instances of property damage caused by neglect, setting a precedent for personal responsibility in a communal setting.

Key Themes

  • Personal Responsibility: The verse emphasizes the duty of individuals to manage their property and activities in a way that does not endanger others or their assets. Opening or digging a pit was a common activity for various purposes, such as water collection or trapping, but leaving it uncovered constituted a failure of responsibility.
  • Negligence and its Consequences: This law directly deals with negligence (lack of due care). The consequence of such neglect is the accidental harm or death of an animal belonging to another, highlighting the importance of foresight and diligence in preventing harm.
  • Justice and Restitution: While this verse merely states the problem, the subsequent verse (Exodus 21:34) details the required restitution, demonstrating that justice in ancient Israel involved compensating the injured party for losses incurred due to another's fault.
  • Community Safety: The underlying principle is the creation of a safe environment for all members of the community, where individuals are expected to act responsibly to prevent harm to their neighbors' livelihood and well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pit" is bor (בּוֹר), which typically refers to a cistern, well, or a deep hole, often dug for water storage, waste disposal, or as a trap. The critical element in this verse is the phrase "and not cover it," which clearly identifies the act of negligence. It's not the digging itself that is prohibited, but the failure to secure a potential hazard that leads to culpability.

Practical Application

Though set in an ancient agricultural context, the principles of Exodus 21:33 remain highly relevant today. It speaks to our modern understanding of liability, public safety, and the importance of due diligence. This verse encourages us to:

  • Be Mindful of Our Actions: Consider how our actions, or inactions, might affect others. This applies to physical hazards (e.g., leaving tools out, unsafe construction sites, neglecting to secure dangerous items) and even to less tangible forms of neglect (e.g., failing to secure digital information, not warning others of known risks).
  • Exercise Due Care: We are called to be diligent and responsible stewards of our resources and activities, ensuring they do not become a source of harm to our neighbors. This aligns with the broader biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself, which includes protecting their property and safety.
  • Accept Responsibility: When our negligence causes harm, we are ethically and often legally obligated to acknowledge our fault and make amends. This principle of accountability is foundational to a just society, echoing themes found in other wisdom literature like Proverbs 11:3, which speaks to the integrity that guides the upright.

Exodus 21:33 serves as a timeless reminder that freedom comes with responsibility, and a just society requires its members to act with foresight and care for the well-being of all.

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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 28:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.

  • Psalms 119:85 (2 votes)

    ¶ The proud have digged pits for me, which [are] not after thy law.

  • Psalms 9:15 (2 votes)

    The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

  • Ecclesiastes 10:8 (2 votes)

    He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

  • Jeremiah 18:20 (2 votes)

    Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.

  • Jeremiah 18:22 (2 votes)

    Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.