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.
But if the ox had a habit of attacking people with its horns in the past, and people had warned the owner about it, and the owner didn't keep it locked up, and then it killed a man or woman, then the ox must be killed by stoning, and the owner must also be put to death.
This verse establishes that if someone ignores repeated warnings about their dangerous animal and it kills someone, both the animal and the negligent owner face the death penalty.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, as outlined in the Book of Exodus, God gave laws to Moses to establish justice and order in a society transitioning from slavery to nationhood, including rules for handling disputes and damages. This verse specifically deals with the responsibilities of animal owners in an agrarian culture where oxen were vital for farming and transportation, emphasizing that prior knowledge of an animal's dangerous behavior required preventive action. It reflects a broader biblical emphasis on accountability and the protection of human life under God's covenant.
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