Exodus 21:28
New International Version
“If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.

New Living Translation
“If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable.

English Standard Version
“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable.

Berean Standard Bible
If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall not be held responsible.

King James Bible
If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

New King James Version
“If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted.

New American Standard Bible
“Now if an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall certainly be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished.

NASB 1995
“If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished.

NASB 1977
“And if an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And if an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished.

Amplified Bible
“If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be cleared [of responsibility].

Christian Standard Bible
“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its meat may not be eaten, but the ox’s owner is innocent.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its meat may not be eaten, but the ox’s owner is innocent.

American Standard Version
And if an ox gore a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

Contemporary English Version
A bull that kills someone with its horns must be killed and its meat destroyed, but the owner of the bull isn't responsible for the death.

English Revised Version
And if an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Whenever a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat may not be eaten. The bull's owner is free from any liability.

Good News Translation
"If a bull gores someone to death, it is to be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but its owner is not to be punished.

International Standard Version
"If an ox gores a man or woman so that they die, the ox is certainly to be stoned and its flesh may not be eaten, but the owner of the ox is free from liability.

Majority Standard Bible
If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall not be held responsible.

NET Bible
"If an ox gores a man or a woman so that either dies, then the ox must surely be stoned and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will be acquitted.

New Heart English Bible
"If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.

Webster's Bible Translation
If an ox shall gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

World English Bible
“If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when an ox gores man or woman, and they have died, the ox is certainly stoned, and his flesh is not eaten, and the owner of the ox [is] acquitted;

Young's Literal Translation
And when an ox doth gore man or woman, and they have died, the ox is certainly stoned, and his flesh is not eaten, and the owner of the ox is acquitted;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if an ox shall push (with the horns) a man or a woman, and he died; stoning, the ox shall be stoned, and he shall not eat his flesh; and the lord of the ox being innocent.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If an ox gore a man or a woman, and they die, he shall be stoned: and his flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If an ox has struck a man or a woman with his horn, and if they die, it shall be stoned. And its flesh shall not be eaten; also, the owner of the ox will be innocent.

New American Bible
When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned; its meat may not be eaten. The owner of the ox, however, shall be free of blame.

New Revised Standard Version
When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall not be liable.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If an ox gores a man or a woman that he or she die; then the ox shall be surely stoned and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be blameless.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when an ox will gore a man or a woman and someone will die, the ox surely will be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten and the owner of the ox shall be declared innocent.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if a bull gore a man or woman and they die, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall be clear.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Personal Injury Laws
27And if he knocks out the tooth of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth. 28If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall not be held responsible. 29But if the ox has a habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or woman, then the ox must be stoned and its owner must also be put to death.…

Cross References
Genesis 9:5-6
And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: / Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Numbers 35:33
Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.

Leviticus 24:17-21
And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: ...

Deuteronomy 19:21
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Romans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

1 Timothy 1:8-9
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. / We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,

Genesis 9:2
The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand.

Deuteronomy 22:8
If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Luke 10:27
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 9:9
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.


Treasury of Scripture

If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

the ox

Exodus 21:32
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.

Genesis 9:5,6
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man…

Leviticus 20:15,16
And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast…

Jump to Previous
Acquitted Bull Cause Clear Death Die Died Eaten Flesh Food Gore Gores Guiltless Held Judged Meat Owner Ox Quit Responsible Stoned Surely Unpunished Used
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Acquitted Bull Cause Clear Death Die Died Eaten Flesh Food Gore Gores Guiltless Held Judged Meat Owner Ox Quit Responsible Stoned Surely Unpunished Used
Exodus 21
1. Laws for men servants
5. For the servant whose ear is bored
7. For women servants
12. For manslaughter
16. For kidnappers
17. For cursers of parents
18. For smiters
22. For a hurt by chance
28. For an ox that gores
33. For him who is an occasion of harm














If an ox gores
The Hebrew word for "ox" is "שׁוֹר" (shor), which refers to a domesticated bovine animal commonly used in agrarian societies for plowing and other labor. The act of "goring" implies a violent attack with the horns, a behavior that, while not typical, could occur if the animal was provoked or not properly restrained. This phrase sets the stage for a legal case concerning the responsibility of animal owners in ancient Israelite society, emphasizing the importance of community safety and personal responsibility.

a man or a woman
This phrase underscores the equal value of human life, regardless of gender, in the eyes of God and within the legal system of ancient Israel. The inclusion of both "man" and "woman" highlights the comprehensive nature of the law, ensuring protection and justice for all individuals. It reflects the biblical principle that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), deserving of dignity and respect.

to death
The Hebrew word "מוּת" (muth) signifies the ultimate consequence of the ox's actions—death. This severe outcome necessitates a serious response, as life is sacred and its loss demands justice. The phrase indicates the gravity of the situation and the need for a legal framework to address such incidents, ensuring that justice is served and community order is maintained.

the ox must surely be stoned
The command for the ox to be "stoned" (Hebrew: "סָקַל" - saqal) is a form of capital punishment, reflecting the severity of the offense. Stoning was a communal act, symbolizing collective responsibility and the purging of evil from the community. This action serves as a deterrent, emphasizing the importance of preventing harm and maintaining societal safety.

and its meat may not be eaten
This prohibition against consuming the meat of the offending ox underscores the concept of defilement. The ox, having caused a human death, is considered unclean, and its meat is not to be used for sustenance. This reflects the broader biblical principle of holiness and the separation from that which is tainted by sin or death.

In this case, the owner of the ox will be acquitted
The Hebrew word for "acquitted" is "נָקָה" (naqah), meaning to be free from guilt or punishment. This clause provides a measure of protection for the owner, acknowledging that accidents can occur despite reasonable precautions. It highlights the balance in biblical law between justice and mercy, ensuring that individuals are not unjustly punished for unforeseen events beyond their control. This principle encourages responsible stewardship while recognizing human limitations.

(28-32) Injuries to the person might arise either from man or from animals. Protection from both was needed. The law given to Noah (Genesis 9:5) had already laid it down that whenever a beast killed a man his life was to be forfeit. This law was now re-enacted, but with a further and very important proviso. If the animal had an owner, and the owner had reason to know that it was dangerous, then not only the beast, but the owner also was to be held guilty. He was to be liable to a process for murder (Exodus 21:29); but, with the consent of the aggrieved family, might pay a sum of money as compensation instead (Exodus 21:30). In the case of a slave, the sum was fixed at what was regarded as the standard price of a slave (Leviticus 25:44-46; Leviticus 27:3), viz., thirty silver shekels.

(28) The ox shall be surely stoned--i.e., he shall die the death of a murderer. . . .

Verses 28-32. - Injuries done by cattle to slaves and freemen. For the purpose of inculcating as strongly as possible the principle of the sanctity of human life, the legislator notices the case where mortal injury is done to a person by a domesticated animal. The ox is taken as the example, being the animal most likely to inflict such an injury. In accordance with the declaration already made to Noah (Genesis 9:6), it is laid down that the destructive beast must be killed. Further, to mark the abhorrence in which murder ought to be held, the provision is made, that none of the creature' s flesh must be eaten. The question then arises, is the owner to suffer any punishment? This is answered in the way that natural equity points out - "If he had reason to know the savage temper of the animal, he is to he held responsible; if otherwise, he is to go free." In the former case, the Hebrew law assigned a higher degree of responsibility than accords with modern notions; but practically the result was not very different. The neglectful Hebrew owner was held to have been guilty of a capital offence, but was allowed to "redeem his life" by a fine. His modern counterpart would be held to have been guilty simply of laches or neglect of duty, and would be punished by fine or imprisonment Verse 28. - The ox shall be surely stoned. He shall suffer the same death that would have been the portion of a human murderer. His flesh shall not be eaten. The animal was regarded as accursed, and therefore, as a matter of course, no Hebrew might eat of it. According to the Rabbinical commentators, it was not even lawful to sell the carcase to Gentiles. The owner shall be quit - i.e., "shall be liable to no punishment."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

an ox
שׁ֥וֹר (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

gores
יִגַּ֨ח (yig·gaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5055: To butt with the horns, to war against

a man
אִ֛ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

or
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

woman
אִשָּׁ֖ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

to death,
וָמֵ֑ת (wā·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

the ox
הַשּׁ֗וֹר (haš·šō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

must surely
סָק֨וֹל (sā·qō·wl)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5619: To stone, put to death by stoning

be stoned,
יִסָּקֵ֜ל (yis·sā·qêl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5619: To stone, put to death by stoning

and its meat
בְּשָׂר֔וֹ (bə·śā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

must not
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be eaten.
יֵאָכֵל֙ (yê·’ā·ḵêl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

But the owner
וּבַ֥עַל (ū·ḇa·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

of the ox
הַשּׁ֖וֹר (haš·šō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

shall not be held responsible.
נָקִֽי׃ (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt


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OT Law: Exodus 21:28 If a bull gores a man (Exo. Ex)
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