Exodus 21:29

21:29 But if the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner was warned, ¹  and he did not take the necessary precautions, ²  and then it killed a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned and the man must be put to death.

Exodus 21:36

21:36 Or if it is known that the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner did not take the necessary precautions, he must surely pay ³  ox for ox, and the dead animal will become his. ⁴ 

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¹ tn The Hophal perfect has the idea of “attested, testified against.”

² tn Heb “he was not keeping it” or perhaps guarding or watching it (referring to the ox).

³ tn The construction now uses the same Piel imperfect (v. 34) but adds the infinitive absolute to it for emphasis.

⁴ sn The point of this section (21:28-36) seems to be that one must ensure the safety of others by controlling one’s property and possessions. This section pertained to neglect with animals, but the message would have applied to similar situations. The people of God were to take heed to ensure the well-being of others, and if there was a problem, it had to be made right.