Bible Strands
Exodus 21:28
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks to Israel through Moses at Sinai, establishing civil statutes following the Decalogue. This verse addresses accidental animal-related fatalities within the covenant community.
The words — The Hebrew יִגַּח (yi.gach) translates literally to "it will gore," describing the sudden violent action of the שׁוֹר (shor), or ox.
The thread — The text states the ox is stoned and its meat forbidden, then contrasts this with Exodus 21:29, which adds the owner's execution for a known dangerous animal. It runs parallel to Genesis 9:5, which establishes that God requires an accounting for any lifeblood shed by human or beast.
Why it lands — The text commands the animal's execution and prohibits eating its flesh to remove any benefit from death. It requires readers to apply strict liability only when negligence is proven, distinguishing unavoidable accident from culpable harm.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 21:32 If the ox gores a manservant or maidservant, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of that servant, and the ox must be stoned.
- Genesis 9:5 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:
- Leviticus 20:15 If a man lies carnally with an animal, he must be put to death. And you are also to kill the animal.