Exodus 21:31 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:31 mean?

Exodus 21:31 states that if an ox gores and kills a son or a daughter, the same legal judgment applies as in previous verses about an ox killing a person. The law makes no distinction based on the age or gender of the victim; the same consequences follow.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to Moses for the Israelites about responsibility and justice. The context is about what happens if someone's ox kills another person, and this verse makes clear that the rules are the same whether the victim is a man, woman, son, or daughter. This shows the law’s emphasis on equal value for all lives in these situations.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:31

• "gored" (נָגַח, nagach): This word means to thrust or gore, specifically with an animal's horn. Its use here focuses on a violent, fatal attack by an ox.
• "son" (בֵּן, ben) and "daughter" (בַּת, bat): These words refer specifically to a male or female child. Their mention highlights that the law covers children, not just adults.
• "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means a legal decision or ordinance. Here, it refers to the established legal process or penalty described earlier in the chapter.
• "done" (עָשָׂה, asah): This verb means to do or make. In this context, it means the prescribed legal action must be carried out.

Why Exodus 21:31 matters

• Exodus 21:31 clarifies that the law applies equally to all people, regardless of age or gender, which was significant in the ancient world where legal protections often varied.
• This verse connects directly to the surrounding laws about responsibility for dangerous animals, reinforcing the idea that owners are accountable for harm caused by their property.
• The verse helps prevent misunderstandings that children or women might have been valued less under the law, showing that the same standard of justice was intended for everyone.