Exodus 21:32 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If a goring ox kills a servant, the owner must pay the master thirty shekels of silver as compensation, and the ox is executed.
The Context of Exodus 21:32
Liability for a servant's death from goring is thirty shekels of silver
What Does Exodus 21:32 Mean?
When an ox kills a servant rather than a free person, the consequence differs: instead of possible death for the owner, he pays a fixed fine (thirty shekels of silver) to the servant's master. The ox is still executed, but the owner's liability is limited to monetary restitution.
This differential reflects the different legal status of servants versus free persons. While servants are protected by law, their deaths are compensated differently, assigning a monetary value to their loss. The fixed amount prevents endless disputes over the value of a servant's life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:32
What does Exodus 21:32 mean?
If a goring ox kills a servant, the owner must pay the master thirty shekels of silver as compensation, and the ox is executed.
What is the context of Exodus 21:32?
Liability for a servant's death from goring is thirty shekels of silver