Exodus 21:30

30 And if a ransom should be imposed on him, he shall pay for the ransom of his soul as much as they shall lay upon him.

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.''


FOOTNOTES:

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

Exodus 21:30 In-Context

28 And if a bull gore a man or woman and they die, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall be clear.
29 But if the bull should have been given to goring in former time, and men should have told his owner, and he have not removed him, but he should have slain a man or woman, the bull shall be stoned, and his owner shall die also.
30 And if a ransom should be imposed on him, he shall pay for the ransom of his soul as much as they shall lay upon him.
31 And if gore a son or daughter, let them do to him according to this ordinance.
32 And if the bull gore a man-servant or maid-servant, he shall pay to their master thirty silver didrachms, and the bull shall be stoned.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.