Exodus 21:31

31 Whether it have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

Exodus 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:31

Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter
A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in ( Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:30 ) persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:

according to this judgment shall it be done unto him;
to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.

Exodus 21:31 In-Context

29 But if the ox was wont to gore in time past, and it hath been testified to its owner, and he hath not kept it in, but it hath killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.

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

31 Whether it have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

32 If the ox gore a man-servant or a maid-servant, there shall be given unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

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,