Exodus 21:29
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִ֡ם
H518
וְאִ֡ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
ה֜וּא
H1931
ה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִתְּמֹ֣ל
in time past
H8543
מִתְּמֹ֣ל
in time past
Strong's:
H8543
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, ago, i.e., a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday
שִׁלְשֹׁ֗ם
H8032
וְהוּעַ֤ד
and it hath been testified
H5749
וְהוּעַ֤ד
and it hath been testified
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
7 of 19
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
בְּעָלָ֖יו
and his owner
H1167
בְּעָלָ֖יו
and his owner
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
8 of 19
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמְרֶ֔נּוּ
and he hath not kept
H8104
יִשְׁמְרֶ֔נּוּ
and he hath not kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
יוּמָֽת׃
also shall be put to death
H4191
יוּמָֽת׃
also shall be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
11 of 19
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אִ֖ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
13 of 19
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
יִסָּקֵ֔ל
shall be stoned
H5619
יִסָּקֵ֔ל
shall be stoned
Strong's:
H5619
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Hittite) addressed similar property issues but often with class-based penalties. Israel's law applied more uniformly regardless of social status.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law reveal God's character—His justice, mercy, or holiness?
- What New Testament principles build upon or fulfill this Old Testament regulation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
This case law addresses property damage and personal injury, establishing liability principles. The mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים, judgments) apply Decalogue principles to everyday situations, creating just society. Owner responsibility reflects broader biblical principle: we're stewards of possessions, accountable for harm they cause. The law balances justice (compensation for victims) with mercy (proportional rather than excessive penalties). These principles undergird modern tort law and demonstrate God's concern for social order.