Exodus 21:34
New International Version
the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

New Living Translation
The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal.

English Standard Version
the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.

Berean Standard Bible
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

King James Bible
The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

New King James Version
the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.

New American Standard Bible
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

NASB 1995
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

NASB 1977
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

Legacy Standard Bible
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

Amplified Bible
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to the animal’s owner, but the dead [animal] shall be his.

Christian Standard Bible
the owner of the pit must give compensation; he must pay to its owner, but the dead animal will become his.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the owner of the pit must give compensation; he must pay money to its owner, but the dead animal will become his.”

American Standard Version
the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money unto the owner thereof, and the dead beast shall be his.

Contemporary English Version
You must pay for the dead animal, and it becomes yours.

English Revised Version
the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money unto the owner of them, and the dead beast shall be his.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the owner of the cistern must make up for the loss. He must pay money to the animal's owner, and then the dead animal will be his.

Good News Translation
he must pay for the animal. He is to pay the money to the owner and may keep the dead animal.

International Standard Version
the owner of the pit is to make restitution. He is to pay money to its owner, and the dead animal will become his.

Majority Standard Bible
the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

NET Bible
the owner of the pit must repay the loss. He must give money to its owner, and the dead animal will become his.

New Heart English Bible
the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.

Webster's Bible Translation
The owner of the pit shall make compensation, and give money to the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

World English Bible
the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the owner of the pit repays, he gives back money to its owner, and the dead is his.

Young's Literal Translation
the owner of the pit doth repay, money he doth give back to its owner, and the dead is his.

Smith's Literal Translation
The lord of the pit shall recompense; he shall turn back silver to his lord and the dead shall be to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The owner of the pit shall pay the price of the beasts: and that which is dead shall be his own.

Catholic Public Domain Version
then the owner of the cistern shall repay the price of the beasts, and what is dead will belong to him.

New American Bible
the owner of the cistern must make good by restoring the value of the animal to its owner, but the dead animal he may keep.

New Revised Standard Version
the owner of the pit shall make restitution, giving money to its owner, but keeping the dead animal.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The owner of the pit shall pay money to the owner of the animal, and the dead animal shall be his.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The owner of the pit will pay money to its owner and the dead animal shall be his.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money unto the owner of them, and the dead beast shall be his.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the owner of the pit shall make compensation; he shall give money to their owner, and the dead shall be his own.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws about Restitution
33If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his. 35If a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s ox and it dies, they must sell the live one and divide the proceeds; they also must divide the dead animal.…

Cross References
Leviticus 24:18
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life.

Numbers 5:7-8
and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. / But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him.

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.

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 6:7-8
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? / Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?


Treasury of Scripture

The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money to the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

Exodus 21:29,30
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…

Exodus 22:6,14
If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution…

Jump to Previous
Animal Beast Compensation Dead Good Hole Loss Money Owner Ox Pay Payment Pit Repay Responsible Restitution Thereof
Jump to Next
Animal Beast Compensation Dead Good Hole Loss Money Owner Ox Pay Payment Pit Repay Responsible Restitution Thereof
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














the owner of the pit shall make restitution;
This phrase establishes the principle of responsibility and accountability in ancient Israelite society. The law required that if a person dug a pit and failed to cover it, leading to harm or loss, they were responsible for compensating the affected party. This reflects the broader biblical principle of justice and fairness, as seen in other parts of the Mosaic Law (e.g., Leviticus 24:18-21). The concept of restitution is also echoed in the New Testament, where Zacchaeus, upon his conversion, promises to repay those he has wronged (Luke 19:8).

he must pay its owner,
This part of the verse emphasizes the necessity of financial compensation for loss. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, livestock was a valuable asset, and losing an animal could significantly impact a family's livelihood. The requirement to pay the owner underscores the value placed on property rights and the importance of maintaining community harmony. This principle of compensation is consistent with the broader biblical theme of restoring what has been lost or damaged, as seen in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25).

and the dead animal will be his.
By stating that the dead animal becomes the property of the pit owner, the law ensures that the original owner is compensated while the responsible party bears the consequence of their negligence. This transfer of ownership also serves as a deterrent against carelessness. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who takes on the consequences of sin (death) on behalf of humanity, offering restitution and reconciliation with God. This principle of substitution and bearing the burden of another is central to the message of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Owner of the Pit
This refers to the individual responsible for creating or leaving open a pit that causes harm. In the context of ancient Israel, this person is held accountable for any damage caused by their negligence.

2. Owner of the Animal
This is the person who suffers loss due to the negligence of the pit owner. The law provides for their compensation, ensuring justice and fairness.

3. The Pit
A physical hazard that, if left uncovered, can cause harm to animals or people. It symbolizes negligence and the potential for unintended consequences.

4. Restitution
The act of making amends for a wrong, particularly in the form of financial compensation. This is a key principle in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing responsibility and justice.

5. Dead Animal
Represents the loss suffered by the animal's owner. The transfer of the dead animal to the pit owner signifies the resolution of the incident through restitution.
Teaching Points
Responsibility and Accountability
The passage underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and the consequences they may have on others. As Christians, we are called to be mindful of how our actions affect those around us.

Justice and Fairness
God's law emphasizes justice and fairness, ensuring that those who suffer loss are compensated. This reflects God's character and His desire for His people to live justly.

Reconciliation and Restitution
Making restitution is a step towards reconciliation. It is not just about compensating for loss but also about restoring relationships and community harmony.

Preventive Care
The passage implicitly encourages us to take preventive measures to avoid causing harm to others. This can be applied in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to community responsibilities.

Moral and Ethical Living
The principles in this passage guide us towards living ethically and morally, reflecting God's standards in our daily interactions.(34) The dead beast shall be his.--Having paid the full value of the live animal, the owner of the well was entitled to make what he could by the carcass.

Verse 34. - The owner of the pit shall make it good - i.e., "shall duly compensate the owner of the cattle for its loss." And the dead beast shall be his. Having paid the full price of the slain beast, the owner of the cistern was entitled to its carcase.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the owner
בַּ֤עַל (ba·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

of the pit
הַבּוֹר֙ (hab·bō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well

shall make restitution;
יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם (yə·šal·lêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

he must pay
יָשִׁ֣יב (yā·šîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

its owner,
לִבְעָלָ֑יו (liḇ·‘ā·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

and the dead [animal]
וְהַמֵּ֖ת (wə·ham·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

will be
יִֽהְיֶה־ (yih·yeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

his.
לּֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


Links
Exodus 21:34 NIV
Exodus 21:34 NLT
Exodus 21:34 ESV
Exodus 21:34 NASB
Exodus 21:34 KJV

Exodus 21:34 BibleApps.com
Exodus 21:34 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 21:34 Chinese Bible
Exodus 21:34 French Bible
Exodus 21:34 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 21:34 The owner of the pit shall make (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 21:33
Top of Page
Top of Page