◄ Exodus 21:31 ►
If the ox gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.
Study Bible
This law also applies
The phrase "this law also applies" indicates the universality and consistency of God's justice. In the Hebrew text, the word for "law" is "mishpat," which means judgment or ordinance. It reflects the divine order and fairness that God establishes among His people. The application of this law to all individuals, regardless of their status, underscores the impartiality of God's commandments. Historically, this reflects the broader Ancient Near Eastern legal traditions, where laws were meant to maintain societal order and protect individuals.

if the bull gores
The act of a bull goring is a specific example of an animal causing harm, which in ancient agrarian societies was a real and present danger. The Hebrew word for "gores" is "nagach," which implies a violent thrust or attack. This reflects the seriousness with which God views the responsibility of individuals to control their property and prevent harm to others. The inclusion of such specific scenarios in the law demonstrates God's concern for the safety and well-being of His people.

a son or daughter
The mention of "a son or daughter" highlights the value of human life in God's eyes. In the Hebrew culture, children were considered a blessing and a heritage from the Lord. The specific mention of sons and daughters emphasizes the protection of the family unit, which is central to God's design for society. This phrase also underscores the equal value of all human life, regardless of age or gender, in the eyes of God. It serves as a reminder of the sanctity of life and the importance of safeguarding it within the community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Ox
A domesticated animal often used for labor in ancient agrarian societies. In this context, it represents potential danger and responsibility.

2. The Owner
The person responsible for the ox. This individual is accountable for the actions of their property, highlighting the importance of stewardship and responsibility.

3. Son or Daughter
Represents any child or young person in the community, emphasizing the value of human life and the protection of the vulnerable.

4. The Rule
Refers to the legal and moral guidelines established by God for the Israelites, ensuring justice and accountability within the community.

5. The Community
The broader group of Israelites who are governed by these laws, reflecting the collective responsibility to uphold justice and protect one another.
Teaching Points
Responsibility and Stewardship
As believers, we are called to be responsible stewards of what God has entrusted to us, whether it be property, relationships, or spiritual gifts.

Value of Human Life
This passage highlights the intrinsic value of human life, reminding us to protect and honor each person as made in the image of God.

Justice and Accountability
God's laws are designed to ensure justice and accountability. We are called to uphold these principles in our communities and personal lives.

Community and Protection
The well-being of the community is a shared responsibility. We must look out for one another, especially the vulnerable, and ensure their safety.

Mercy and Forgiveness
While justice is important, we are also called to balance it with mercy and forgiveness, following the example of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the responsibility of the ox owner in Exodus 21:31 reflect our responsibilities in modern life, particularly in areas where we have influence or control?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of valuing human life in our daily interactions and decisions?

3. How do the concepts of justice and accountability in Exodus 21:31 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What are some practical ways we can contribute to the safety and well-being of our community, especially for the vulnerable?

5. How can we balance the need for justice with the call to show mercy and forgiveness in our personal and communal lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 9:5-6
This passage underscores the sanctity of human life and the divine requirement for justice when life is taken.

Leviticus 24:17-22
These verses expand on the principle of "an eye for an eye," emphasizing proportional justice and the value of life.

Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek offers a deeper understanding of justice and mercy, contrasting with the Old Testament law.
Sermons
Bodily InjuriesJ. Orr Exodus 21:18-36
A Danger SignalChristian HeraldExodus 21:28-36
A Needful WarningChristian HeraldExodus 21:28-36
God's Regard for the Safety of Man and BeastJ. W. Burn.Exodus 21:28-36
Punishment of Criminal CarelessnessR. W. Dale, D. D.Exodus 21:28-36
Responsibility Respecting LifeW. Senior, B. A.Exodus 21:28-36
The Penalties of CarelessnessW. Burrows, B. A.Exodus 21:28-36
People
Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Agreement, Applies, Bull, Caused, Daughter, Dealt, Death, Gore, Gored, Gores, Judgment, Man's, Punishment, Rule, Whether
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 21:28-32

     1680   types
     6714   ransom

Exodus 21:28-36

     4615   bull

Library
The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Kinsman Redeemer
'After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him.'--LEV. xxv. 48. There are several of the institutions and precepts of the Mosaic legislation which, though not prophetic, nor typical, have yet remarkable correspondences with lofty Christian truth. They may be used as symbols, if only we remember that we are diverting them from their original purpose. How singularly these words lend themselves to the statement of the very central truths of Christianity--a slavery …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Non-Resistance
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.'--MATT. v. 38-42. The old law …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of the House of God; with Counsels and Directions to the Inhabitants Thereof.
BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. 'Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.'--Psalm 26:8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Beautiful in its simplicity is this treatise on the Church of Christ, by John Bunyan. He opens, with profound knowledge and eminent skill, all those portions of sacred writ which illustrate the nature, excellency, and government of the house of God, with the personal and relative duties of its inhabitants. It was originally published in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king, …
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

That Deep Things Ought not to be Preached at all to Weak Souls.
But the preacher should know how to avoid drawing the mind of his hearer beyond its strength, lest, so to speak, the string of the soul, when stretched more than it can bear, should be broken. For all deep things should be covered up before a multitude of hearers, and scarcely opened to a few. For hence the Truth in person says, Who, thinkest thou, is the faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his household, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? (Luke xii. 42). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
Part I. History of the Councils. Reason why two Councils were called. Inconsistency and folly of calling any; and of the style of the Arian formularies; occasion of the Nicene Council; proceedings at Ariminum; Letter of the Council to Constantius; its decree. Proceedings at Seleucia; reflections on the conduct of the Arians. 1. Perhaps news has reached even yourselves concerning the Council, which is at this time the subject of general conversation; for letters both from the Emperor and the Prefects …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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