Exodus 21:29-36

29 But if the bull has had the habit of goring, and the owner has been warned but has not kept it confined, and it kills a man or a woman, then the bull must be stoned and its owner must be put to death, too.

30 However, if only a cash settlement is demanded from the owner, the bull's owner may save his life by paying whatever price is demanded of him.

31 If the bull gores someone's son or daughter, this same ruling applies.

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."

Exodus 21:29-36 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 21

In this, and the two following chapters, are delivered various laws and precepts, partly of a moral, and partly of a religious, but chiefly of a civil nature, respecting the commonwealth of Israel, and its political good. This chapter treats of servants, and laws relating to them; to menservants, how long they shall serve, and what is to be done to those who are desirous of staying with their masters after their time is up, Ex 21:1-6, to maidservants, and especially betrothed ones, either to a father or a son, Ex 21:7-11, likewise it contains laws concerning the slaughter of men, whether with design or unawares, Ex 21:12-14, and concerning the ill usage of parents, Ex 21:15,17, and man stealing, Ex 21:16 and of mischief that comes by men's quarrelling and fighting, Ex 21:18,19 and by smiting a man or maidservant, Ex 21:20,21,26,27, to a woman with child, that is, by means of men's striving and contending with each other, Ex 21:22-25 and of damages that come by oxen, or to them, Ex 21:28-36.