Exodus 21:35 Meaning and Explanation
“And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If one person's ox kills another's ox, both owners share the proceeds from selling the live ox and the value of the dead ox.
The Context of Exodus 21:35
Losses from ox-to-ox harm are divided between owners
What Does Exodus 21:35 Mean?
When animals clash and one dies, the responsible party (the live ox owner) and the victim split the financial outcomes. The surviving ox is sold and the proceeds divided; the dead ox's value is also split. This distributes the loss between both parties rather than placing it entirely on one.
The system recognizes that when animals cause damage to each other, a mutually fair solution involves shared responsibility. Both parties receive something—the one bearing the dangerous animal gets some recovery from the sale, while the victim receives half the dead animal's value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:35
What does Exodus 21:35 mean?
If one person's ox kills another's ox, both owners share the proceeds from selling the live ox and the value of the dead ox.
What is the context of Exodus 21:35?
Losses from ox-to-ox harm are divided between owners