Exodus 21:34-36

21:34 the owner of the pit must repay ¹  the loss. He must give money ²  to its owner, and the dead animal ³  will become his. 21:35 If the ox of one man injures the ox of his neighbor so that it dies, then they will sell the live ox and divide its proceeds, ⁴  and they will also divide the dead ox. ⁵  21:36 Or if it is known that the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner did not take the necessary precautions, he must surely pay ⁶  ox for ox, and the dead animal will become his. ⁷ 

¹ tn The verb is a Piel imperfect from שָׁלַם (shalam); it has the idea of making payment in full, making recompense, repaying. These imperfects could be given a future tense translation as imperfects of instruction, but in the property cases an obligatory imperfect fits better – this is what he is bound or obliged to do – what he must do.

² tn Heb “silver.”

³ tn Here the term “animal” has been supplied.

⁴ tn Literally “its silver” or “silver for it.”

⁵ tn Heb “divide the dead.” The noun “ox” has been supplied.

⁶ tn The construction now uses the same Piel imperfect (v. 34) but adds the infinitive absolute to it for emphasis.

⁷ sn The point of this section (21:28-36) seems to be that one must ensure the safety of others by controlling one’s property and possessions. This section pertained to neglect with animals, but the message would have applied to similar situations. The people of God were to take heed to ensure the well-being of others, and if there was a problem, it had to be made right.