◄ Exodus 21:33 ►
If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,
Study Bible
If a man opens or digs a pit
The phrase "opens or digs a pit" refers to the act of creating a hazard. In ancient times, pits were often dug for various purposes, such as storing water or trapping animals. The Hebrew word for "pit" is "בּוֹר" (bor), which can also mean a cistern or a dungeon. This highlights the responsibility of individuals to ensure that their actions do not inadvertently cause harm to others. The act of digging a pit without proper precautions reflects negligence, which is a key theme in this passage.

and fails to cover it
The failure to cover the pit signifies neglect and irresponsibility. In the context of ancient Israelite society, where community living was prevalent, such negligence could lead to significant harm. The Hebrew root "כסה" (kasah) means to cover or conceal, emphasizing the duty to protect others from potential dangers. This part of the verse underscores the moral and ethical obligation to prevent foreseeable harm, aligning with the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor.

and an ox or a donkey falls into it
The mention of "an ox or a donkey" falling into the pit illustrates the practical consequences of negligence. Oxen and donkeys were valuable assets in agrarian societies, essential for farming and transportation. The Hebrew words "שׁוֹר" (shor) for ox and "חֲמוֹר" (chamor) for donkey highlight the economic impact of such an incident. This phrase serves as a reminder of the tangible repercussions of failing to act responsibly, reinforcing the biblical call to stewardship and care for one's property and community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Man
Refers to any individual responsible for creating a hazard, emphasizing personal responsibility.

2. Pit
A hole or excavation in the ground, representing potential danger or negligence.

3. Ox
A domesticated animal used for labor, symbolizing property and livelihood.

4. Donkey
Another domesticated animal, often used for transportation, also representing property.

5. Event
The scenario of an animal falling into an uncovered pit, highlighting the consequences of negligence.
Teaching Points
Personal Responsibility
This passage teaches the importance of being responsible for our actions and the environments we create. We must ensure that our actions do not inadvertently cause harm to others.

Preventive Measures
Just as the man is expected to cover the pit, we are called to take preventive measures in our lives to protect others from potential harm, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Value of Property and Livelihood
The mention of oxen and donkeys underscores the value of property and livelihood. We should respect and protect the resources and possessions of others.

Consequences of Negligence
The passage highlights that negligence can lead to unintended consequences. We must be diligent and mindful in our actions to avoid causing harm.

Moral and Ethical Living
This scripture encourages us to live morally and ethically, considering the impact of our actions on others and striving to live in a way that honors God and respects our neighbors.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the principle of personal responsibility in Exodus 21:33 apply to modern-day situations in your life?

2. In what ways can you take preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of those around you?

3. How does the concept of valuing others' property and livelihood challenge you in your current circumstances?

4. Reflect on a time when negligence led to unintended consequences in your life. What did you learn from that experience?

5. How can the teachings of Exodus 21:33 inspire you to live a more ethical and morally responsible life, in line with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 22:8
This verse discusses building a parapet for your roof to prevent accidents, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions to protect others from harm.

Proverbs 26:27
This proverb speaks about the consequences of one's actions, particularly when they are harmful or negligent.

Matthew 7:12
Known as the Golden Rule, it encourages treating others as you would like to be treated, which can be related to taking responsibility for one's actions to prevent harm to others.
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
Ass, Bull, Cover, Covering, Death, Dig, Digs, Doesn't, Donkey, Dropping, Fails, Fall, Fallen, Falls, Hole, Leaves, Makes, Open, Opens, Ox, Pit, Therein, Thither, Uncovers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 21:28-36

     4615   bull

Exodus 21:32-36

     5264   compensation

Exodus 21:33-34

     4257   pit
     5398   loss
     5492   restitution

Exodus 21:33-36

     4605   animals, religious role
     5803   carelessness

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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