But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

EXODUS 21:29KJV
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Exodus 21:29 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:29 mean?

Exodus 21:29 says that if an ox has a habit of goring people and its owner has been warned but does nothing to restrain it, and the ox kills someone, both the ox must be killed and the owner is also held responsible and put to death. This law sets a serious consequence for negligence when a known danger is not controlled.

In this verse, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about personal responsibility and public safety. The focus is on a situation where an animal’s dangerous behavior is known, and the owner ignores warnings, leading to a fatality. The law treats the owner’s failure to act as a grave offense, not just an accident.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:29

  • "Testified" (הָעִיד, hē‘îd): This word means to give warning or evidence. The verse emphasizes that the owner was clearly warned about the ox’s behavior, so ignorance is not an excuse.
  • "Owner" (בַּעַל, ba‘al): This term means master or possessor. The responsibility is placed directly on the person who has authority over the ox, not just anyone nearby.
  • "Kept" (שָׁמַר, shāmar): This word means to guard or restrain. The law expects active steps to prevent harm, not just passive hope that nothing will happen.
  • "Stoned" (סָקַל, sāqal): The ox is to be killed by stoning, a public act showing the seriousness of the offense and removing the danger from the community.

Why Exodus 21:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies that negligence is not excused if the danger was known and ignored; responsibility increases with knowledge and warning.
  • The law connects personal property (the ox) to community safety, showing that private actions have public consequences.
  • Exodus 21:29 fits into a larger section about justice and restitution, highlighting that God’s law addresses both intentional and careless harm.

Where else these words appear

“horn” Hebrew H5056 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

“stoned” Hebrew H5619 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 8:26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?
  • Deuteronomy 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
  • 2 Samuel 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

“past” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
  • 1 Samuel 20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

“past” Hebrew H8032 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 19:4 And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
  • 1 Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.