Leviticus 22:28

28 But you are not to slaughter an animal from the herd or flock on the same day as its young.[a]

Leviticus 22:28 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:28

And [whether it be] cow or ewe
Or "an ox or sheep" F6, for this law, as Aben Ezra says, respects both male and female, and neither the one nor the other with their young might be slain; though Jarchi says, the custom is concerning the female, for it is forbidden to slay the dam and its son, or daughter; but it is not the custom concerning males, wherefore it is lawful to slay the father and the son: ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day;
or, "it and its son" F7, the young, whether of a cow or ewe, and whether it be male or female; though Gersom observes, that this law takes place only in the dam and its female young, and not in the father and the son; for it is not manifest, in many animals, who is their father, wherefore he is not guilty of stripes, if the father and his son are slain in one day, even though it is known it is its father: the reason of the law seems to be, to encourage mercy and pity, and to discourage cruelty: hence the Targum of Jonathan is,

``and my people, the children of Israel, as our Father is merciful in heaven, so be ye merciful on earth: a cow, or a sheep''

FOOTNOTES:

F6 (hv wa rwv) "bovem vel pecus", Pagninus, Montanus
F7 (wnb taw wta) "ipsum et filium ejus", Pagninus, Montanus

Leviticus 22:28 In-Context

26 The Lord spoke to Moses:
27 "When an ox, sheep, or goat is born, it must remain with its mother for seven days; from the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as a gift, a fire offering to the Lord.
28 But you are not to slaughter an animal from the herd or flock on the same day as its young.
29 When you sacrifice a thank offering to the Lord, sacrifice it so that you may be accepted.
30 It is to be eaten on the same day. Do not let any of it remain until morning; I am the Lord.

Footnotes 1

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