Exodus 21:30

30 However, a ransom may be imposed on him; and the death penalty will be commuted if he pays the amount imposed.

Exodus 21:30 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:30

If there be laid on him a sum of money
By the decree of the judges, as Aben Ezra, or which the sanhedrim of Israel have laid upon him; if his sentence of death is commuted for a fine, with the consent of the relations of the deceased, who in such a case are willing to show mercy, and take a fine instead of the person's death; supposing it was through carelessness and negligence, and not with any ill design that he did not keep up his ox from doing damage, after he had notice:

then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever, is laid upon
him;
whatever mulct or fine he is amerced with by the court, instead of the sentence of death first pronounced. Of this ransom Maimonides ^F17 thus writes:

``the ransom is according as the judges consider what is the price (or value) of him that is slain; (i.e. according to his rank, whether a noble or common man, a free man or a servant) all is according to the estimation of him that is slain.--To whom do they give the ransom? to the heirs of the slain; and if a woman is killed, the ransom is given to the heirs of her father's (family), and not to her husband.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 Hilchot Niske Mammon, c. 11. sect. 1, 2.

Exodus 21:30 In-Context

28 "If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox is to be stoned and its flesh not eaten, but the owner of the ox will have no further liability.

29 However, if the ox was in the habit of goring in the past, and the owner was warned but did not confine it, so that it ended up killing a man or a woman; then the ox is to be stoned, and its owner too is to be put to death.

30 However, a ransom may be imposed on him; and the death penalty will be commuted if he pays the amount imposed.

31 If the ox gores a son or daughter, the same rule applies.

32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, its owner must give their master twelve ounces of silver; and the ox is to be stoned to death.