And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.
If one person's ox injures another person's ox so badly that it dies, then they should sell the living ox and split the money between both owners. They should also divide the dead ox between them.
This verse establishes a fair way to handle property damage when someone's animal accidentally kills another person's animal - both owners share the loss equally.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, as outlined in the Book of Exodus, God provided the Israelites with detailed laws to establish a just society after their escape from slavery in Egypt. This verse is part of the civil regulations addressing property disputes, particularly involving livestock, which was essential for survival and economy in a nomadic and agrarian culture. These laws emphasized restitution and fairness to maintain order and reflect God's character of justice among His people.
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