If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
If a bull attacks and kills a man or woman, the bull must definitely be stoned to death, and its meat cannot be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.
This verse establishes that when an animal kills someone, the animal must be destroyed but the owner isn't automatically blamed if it was an accident.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Moses, God was giving the Israelites a set of laws known as the Mosaic Covenant to establish order and justice in their society after their exodus from Egypt. This particular law addressed the dangers of livestock in an agrarian culture where oxen were essential for farming and daily work, ensuring that human life was protected even from animals. It reflected broader ancient Near Eastern legal traditions that balanced property rights with accountability for harm.
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