Exodus 21:34

34 the owner of the cistern must make up for the loss. He must pay money to the animal's owner, and then the dead animal will be his.

Exodus 21:34 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:34

The owner of the pit shall make it good
Repair the loss of the ox or ass:

and give the money unto the owner of them:
the price of them, what they are worth: the Targum of Jonathan is,

``the owner of the pit shall pay the silver, he shall return to its owner the price of the ox or ass:''

and the dead beast shall be his;
either the owner of the pit; who pays the full value for the ox or ass killed, which seems but reasonable; or

``the injured person as Jarchi, for he says, they reckon or estimate the carcass, and he takes it for the price;''

that is, for part of the price it is valued at.

Exodus 21:34 In-Context

32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, its owner must pay 12 ounces of silver to the slave's master, and the bull must be stoned.

33 "Whenever someone opens up a cistern or digs a new one and doesn't cover it and a bull or a donkey falls into it,

34 the owner of the cistern must make up for the loss. He must pay money to the animal's owner, and then the dead animal will be his.

35 "Whenever one person's bull kills another person's bull, they must sell the live bull and divide the money between them. They must divide the dead bull, too.

36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, and its owner didn't keep it confined, the owner must make up for the loss--bull for bull--and then the dead bull will be his."