Exodus 21:31

31 And whether he hath gored a sonne or a doughter, he shalbe serued after the same maner

Exodus 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:31

Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter
A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in ( Exodus 21:29 Exodus 21:30 ) persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:

according to this judgment shall it be done unto him;
to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.

Exodus 21:31 In-Context

29 Yf the oxe were wont to runne at men in tyme past and it hath bene tolde his master, and he hath not kepte him, but that he hath kylled a man or a woman: then the oxe shalbe stoned and hys master shall dye also.

30 Yf he be sett to a summe off money, then he shall geue for the delyueraunce off his lyfe, acordynge to all that is put vnto him.

31 And whether he hath gored a sonne or a doughter, he shalbe serued after the same maner

32 But yf it be a servaunt or a mayde that the oxe hath gored, then he shall geue vnto their master the summe of .xxx sicles, ad the oxe shall be stoned.

33 Yf a man open a well or dygge a pytt and couer it not, but that an oxe or an asse fall theryn