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.