If a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s ox and it diesThis phrase introduces a scenario involving property damage, specifically livestock, which was a significant asset in ancient agrarian societies. The ox was a valuable animal used for plowing and transportation, making its loss economically impactful. The context here is part of the Mosaic Law, which provided guidelines for maintaining justice and order within the community. The principle of restitution is emphasized, reflecting the broader biblical theme of justice and fairness. This law underscores the importance of responsibility and accountability for one's property and actions, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of loving one's neighbor (
Leviticus 19:18).
they must sell the live one and divide the proceeds
This directive ensures equitable compensation for the loss incurred. By selling the live ox and dividing the proceeds, both parties share the financial burden and benefit, promoting fairness and preventing disputes. This reflects the biblical principle of restitution, where the wronged party is compensated, as seen in other parts of the Mosaic Law (Exodus 22:1-4). The division of proceeds also highlights the communal aspect of ancient Israelite society, where maintaining harmony and justice was paramount.
they also must divide the dead animal
Dividing the dead animal further ensures that both parties share in the loss, preventing one from bearing the entire burden. This aspect of the law reflects the principle of shared responsibility and communal justice. It also serves as a deterrent against negligence, encouraging individuals to take care of their property to avoid such incidents. The division of the dead animal can be seen as a practical solution to a common problem in an agrarian society, ensuring that both parties are treated fairly and equitably. This principle of shared responsibility can be connected to the New Testament teachings on bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe author of Exodus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.
2.
IsraelitesThe recipients of the Mosaic Law, which included civil, ceremonial, and moral laws to govern their society.
3.
OxenDomesticated animals used for labor and agriculture, significant in the agrarian society of ancient Israel.
4.
Owners of the OxenIndividuals responsible for their animals, highlighting the importance of stewardship and responsibility in community living.
Teaching Points
Principle of RestitutionThe law in
Exodus 21:35 teaches the importance of making amends for damages caused, promoting justice and fairness in community relationships.
Shared ResponsibilityThe requirement to divide both the live and dead oxen emphasizes shared responsibility and the need for cooperation in resolving disputes.
Value of PropertyThis law reflects the value placed on property and possessions, urging believers to respect and care for what belongs to others.
Community HarmonyBy providing a clear resolution for disputes, this law helps maintain peace and harmony within the community, a principle that can be applied to modern conflicts.
StewardshipThe passage encourages responsible stewardship of resources, reminding believers of their duty to manage what God has entrusted to them wisely.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 21:35?
2.How does Exodus 21:35 emphasize personal responsibility in community relationships?
3.What principles of justice are highlighted in Exodus 21:35 regarding property damage?
4.How can Exodus 21:35 guide us in resolving modern-day disputes fairly?
5.In what ways does Exodus 21:35 reflect God's character of fairness and justice?
6.How does Exodus 21:35 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving your neighbor?
7.How does Exodus 21:35 reflect God's justice in ancient Israelite society?
8.What does Exodus 21:35 reveal about the value of property versus life?
9.How should modern Christians interpret the laws in Exodus 21:35?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21?
11.(Exodus 35) Is there any concrete historical or archeological evidence to verify that such a grand construction project occurred in the Sinai wilderness?
12.Can animals commit sins?
13.How many animals did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? One (Mark 11:7, Luke 19:35) or two (Matthew 21:7)?
14.How are Moses and the Hammurabi Code similar?What Does Exodus 21:35 Mean
If a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s oxExodus 21:35 opens with responsibility. Ownership of animals carried real legal duty. Earlier in the same chapter (21:28–29) God already addressed an ox that kills a person, showing that His law scales from human life down to property. Here He turns to neighbor-to-neighbor losses:
• God affirms personal accountability; the owner can’t shrug and say, “Animals will be animals.”
• Scripture consistently upholds the duty to guard what is ours so no one else is harmed (Deuteronomy 22:8 on parapet safety;Romans 13:10, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor”).
• The verse assumes both men value their livestock. A single ox could be a family’s tractor, savings account, and food source all at once.
and it diesThe death of the neighbor’s ox raises the loss from nuisance to economic disaster.Leviticus 24:18, “Whoever kills an animal must make restitution,” lays out the same principle. By specifying “and it dies,” God signals:
• Full restitution is now required; partial injury would have led to lesser payment (compareExodus 21:35 with v. 36).
• The standard treats property destruction seriously yet not on the same level as human life (Genesis 9:6 shows the higher standard for taking a person’s life).
they must sell the live one and divide the proceedsGod prescribes a shared remedy, not a lawsuit. Practical points flow from this:
• The attacking ox isn’t destroyed; it retains value, but its owner no longer profits alone.
• Both parties receive 50 percent, balancing loss and preventing endless wrangling.Proverbs 3:27 urges, “Do not withhold good… when it is in your power to act.”
• The solution forces the negligent owner to feel the sting of loss, curbing future carelessness (compare 21:29 where a habitually goring ox costs the owner his life if a person dies).
• The offended neighbor also bears part of the burden, keeping community harmony (Philippians 2:4, “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”).
they also must divide the dead animalEven the carcass is split. God leaves no room for quarrels over leftover value.
• In an agrarian setting the hide, meat, or bones could still be used or sold.
• Sharing the carcass ensures both households tangibly experience the fallout; neither walks away empty-handed nor wholly penalized.
• This fosters reconciliation.Ephesians 4:3 urges believers to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” and fair restitution supports that unity.
summaryExodus 21:35 teaches that God’s justice system is practical, balanced, and neighbor-minded. When one person’s property causes another’s loss, both share the remaining assets—living ox and carcass—to restore equity and preserve peace. The verse reinforces stewardship, personal responsibility, and love for neighbor, principles that still guide believers in handling modern disputes with fairness and grace.
(35-36)
if oneman's ox hurt another's.--Where no blame attached to the owner, the loss was to be equally shared. Where the dangerous character of the animal was, or ought to have been, known, the man whose ox was killed received its full value.
Verses 35, 36. -If one mans ox hurtanothers, etc. The hurt might be purely accidental, and imply no neglect. In that ease the two parties were to divide the value of the living, and also of the dead ox -i.e., they were to share between them the loss caused by the accident equally. If, however, there was neglect, if the aggressive animal was known to be of a vicious disposition, then the man who had suffered the loss was to receive the full value of the slain animal, but to lose his share of the carcase. This explanation, which the words of the text not only admit, but invite, seems better than the Rabbinical one, "that the dead ox should also be the property of the injured party."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
If
וְכִֽי־(wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction
a man’s
אִ֛ישׁ(’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person
ox
שֽׁוֹר־(šō·wr-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7794:A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)
injures
יִגֹּ֧ף(yig·gōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5062:To push, gore, defeat, stub, inflict
his neighbor’s
רֵעֵ֖הוּ(rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453:Friend, companion, fellow
ox
שׁ֥וֹר(šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7794:A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)
and it dies,
וָמֵ֑ת(wā·mêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill
they must sell
וּמָ֨כְר֜וּ(ū·mā·ḵə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4376:To sell
the live
הַחַי֙(ha·ḥay)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2416:Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life
[one]
הַשּׁ֤וֹר(haš·šō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794:A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)
and divide
וְחָצ֣וּ(wə·ḥā·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2673:To cut, split in two, to halve
the proceeds;
כַּסְפּ֔וֹ(kas·pōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3701:Silver, money
they also must
וְגַ֥ם(wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and
divide
יֶֽחֱצֽוּן׃(ye·ḥĕ·ṣūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 2673:To cut, split in two, to halve
the dead animal.
הַמֵּ֖ת(ham·mêṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill
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OT Law: Exodus 21:35 If one man's bull injures another's so (Exo. Ex)
