Exodus 21:36

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

لَكِنْ إنْ كَانَ مَعْرُوفًا أنَّ الثَّورَ مُعْتَادٌ عَلَى النَّطْحِ لَكِنَّ مَالِكَهُ لَمْ يَحْتَجِزْهُ، فَإنَّهُ يُعَوِّضُ ثَوْرًا بِثَوْرٍ. أمَّا الثَّوْرُ المَيِّتُ فَيَكُونُ لَهُ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Exodus describes a rule about oxen. If an ox has a history of being aggressive and its owner doesn't keep it contained, the owner must pay for any damage the ox causes. The owner is responsible for the dead ox as well. This is about responsibility and accountability.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a pet that sometimes gets into trouble. If your pet has done naughty things before and you don't keep an eye on it, and then it causes a mess again, you have to fix the problem. Just like in the story, if a farmer's ox has pushed others before and the farmer doesn't keep it tied up, the farmer has to pay for any damage the ox causes.

Historical Background

The Book of Exodus was written by Moses around 1400 BC. It was part of the law given to the Israelites after their liberation from slavery in Egypt. The rules were practical and covered various aspects of daily life, including property damage.

Living It Out Today

This verse applies to situations where someone is responsible for a dangerous situation they could have prevented. For example, if a pet owner knows their dog is aggressive but leaves it outside without a leash, and the dog attacks someone, the owner could be held responsible for the consequences.

Topics

• responsibility
• accountability
• property laws
• consequences
• legal standards
• animal husbandry

Related Verses

• Exodus 22:14
• Leviticus 24:20
• Deuteronomy 22:4
• Matthew 18:25
• 1 Corinthians 6:7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Exodus 21:36?

The main message is about accountability and responsibility. If an owner is aware of their animal's aggressive tendencies and fails to control it, they are responsible for any resulting damage.

How does this relate to modern laws?

Modern laws also hold individuals responsible for the actions of their pets or livestock. If an owner knows their pet could be dangerous and doesn't take precautions, they could face legal consequences.

Why is this verse important?

It emphasizes the importance of being proactive about safety and the consequences of neglect. This principle is still relevant today in various contexts.

What can we learn from this about taking care of animals?

We learn the importance of understanding the temperament of our animals and taking appropriate measures to ensure they don't harm others, reflecting broader principles of stewardship and responsibility.