Exodus 21:28 - “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.
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What does "Exodus 21:28" mean?
Exodus 21:28 outlines the legal consequences when a bull kills a person. Let's break down the meaning:
"If a bull gores a man or a woman to death..." This establishes the scenario: a bull, by its action of goring (using its horns to stab or pierce), causes the death of a human.
"...the bull shall surely be stoned..." This is the punishment for the bull. Stoning was a common method of execution in ancient times, signifying that the animal was considered a dangerous threat and had to be eliminated.
"...and its meat shall not be eaten..." This adds a layer to the punishment. Because the bull caused death, it is considered unclean or tainted. Eating its meat would be disrespectful and potentially invite further misfortune or divine displeasure.
"...but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible." This is a key point. In this specific case, if the bull had no prior history of aggression and the owner was not negligent, the owner would not be held accountable for the death caused by their animal. The owner suffers the loss of their bull, but not any further legal penalties like fines or imprisonment.
In essence, the verse establishes a legal precedent for accidental death caused by an animal. The animal is held accountable and destroyed, but the owner is not, assuming there was no prior knowledge of the animal's dangerous tendencies.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger section of laws in Exodus dealing with various offenses and their punishments. It's crucial to read it within the context of the entire legal code.
Later Verses: The verses that follow this one in Exodus 21 modify this law. For instance, verse 29 states that if the bull had a history of goring and the owner was warned but did not restrain it, then the owner would be held responsible, even to the point of being put to death themselves.
Interpretation: Different interpretations of this and similar verses exist. Some focus on the concept of justice and accountability, while others highlight the importance of animal control and owner responsibility.
Relevance Today: While this specific law is not directly applicable in modern legal systems, it provides insights into the values and concerns of the society in which it was created. It underscores the importance of holding individuals and animals accountable for their actions and the concept of negligence.
Exodus 21:28 - “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.
What does "Exodus 21:28" mean?
Exodus 21:28 outlines the legal consequences when a bull kills a person. Let's break down the meaning:
"If a bull gores a man or a woman to death..." This establishes the scenario: a bull, by its action of goring (using its horns to stab or pierce), causes the death of a human.
"...the bull shall surely be stoned..." This is the punishment for the bull. Stoning was a common method of execution in ancient times, signifying that the animal was considered a dangerous threat and had to be eliminated.
"...and its meat shall not be eaten..." This adds a layer to the punishment. Because the bull caused death, it is considered unclean or tainted. Eating its meat would be disrespectful and potentially invite further misfortune or divine displeasure.
"...but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible." This is a key point. In this specific case, if the bull had no prior history of aggression and the owner was not negligent, the owner would not be held accountable for the death caused by their animal. The owner suffers the loss of their bull, but not any further legal penalties like fines or imprisonment.
In essence, the verse establishes a legal precedent for accidental death caused by an animal. The animal is held accountable and destroyed, but the owner is not, assuming there was no prior knowledge of the animal's dangerous tendencies.
Important Considerations:
Context: This verse is part of a larger section of laws in Exodus dealing with various offenses and their punishments. It's crucial to read it within the context of the entire legal code.
Later Verses: The verses that follow this one in Exodus 21 modify this law. For instance, verse 29 states that if the bull had a history of goring and the owner was warned but did not restrain it, then the owner would be held responsible, even to the point of being put to death themselves.
Interpretation: Different interpretations of this and similar verses exist. Some focus on the concept of justice and accountability, while others highlight the importance of animal control and owner responsibility.
Relevance Today: While this specific law is not directly applicable in modern legal systems, it provides insights into the values and concerns of the society in which it was created. It underscores the importance of holding individuals and animals accountable for their actions and the concept of negligence.