Exodus Chapter 21 · Verse 32
If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִגַּ֥ח
shall push
H5055
יִגַּ֥ח
shall push
Strong's:
H5055
Word #:
3 of 13
to butt with the horns; figuratively, to war against
א֣וֹ
H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
5 of 13
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כֶּ֣סֶף׀
of silver
H3701
כֶּ֣סֶף׀
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
7 of 13
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
יִתֵּן֙
he shall give
H5414
יִתֵּן֙
he shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַֽאדֹנָ֔יו
unto their master
H113
לַֽאדֹנָ֔יו
unto their master
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
11 of 13
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
Historical Context
Thirty shekels was significant but not enormous—roughly four months' wages. Zechariah 11:12-13 uses this amount sarcastically ('a handsome price!') to show Israel's contempt. Judas's betrayal for this sum fulfills prophetic typology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the thirty shekels for a slave's life connect to Christ's betrayal price?
- What does stoning an ox for killing even a servant teach about human life's value?
Analysis & Commentary
If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
The 'thirty shekels of silver' (שְׁלֹשִׁים שֶׁקֶל כֶּסֶף, sheloshim sheqel kesef) is the compensation for a slave's life—the exact price Judas received for betraying Christ (Matthew 26:15, Zechariah 11:12-13). Jesus' betrayal price fulfilled this prophetic shadow—He was valued as a slave, though He is Lord. The ox is stoned (capital punishment) even for killing a servant—showing animals that kill humans forfeit life (Genesis 9:5-6). Human life, even servant life, has infinite value. Judas's thirty pieces of silver mock Christ's worth—the priceless One sold for slave-price.