Exodus 21:29 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If an owner knows his ox has a history of goring but fails to restrain it, and it kills someone, both ox and owner face execution.
The Context of Exodus 21:29
Known dangerous animals create owner liability
What Does Exodus 21:29 Mean?
Knowledge and negligence transform liability. If the ox is known to gore, witnesses have warned the owner, and the owner fails to contain the animal, he becomes complicit in any death that results. Both the dangerous animal and the negligent owner must be executed.
This establishes a principle of accountability for foreseeable harm. An owner cannot claim ignorance when warned; he bears responsibility for the predictable consequences of his failure to act. Justice holds the owner as liable as the ox itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:29
What does Exodus 21:29 mean?
If an owner knows his ox has a history of goring but fails to restrain it, and it kills someone, both ox and owner face execution.
What is the context of Exodus 21:29?
Known dangerous animals create owner liability