THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
Why does He command the slaughter of the ox? Through the silent act, He instructs those endowed with reason about the wickedness of taking life.
Exodus 21:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
If an ox gore a man or a woman, and they die, he shall be stoned: and his flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
וְכִֽי־יִגַּ֨ח שׁ֥וֹר אֶת־אִ֛ישׁ א֥וֹ אֶת־אִשָּׁ֖ה וָמֵ֑ת סָק֨וֹל יִסָּקֵ֜ל הַשּׁ֗וֹר וְלֹ֤א יֵאָכֵל֙ אֶת־בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וּבַ֥עַל הַשּׁ֖וֹר נָקִֽי׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
When examining verses 28 and 29 together, we observe that the guiding principle is that if a person carelessly causes the death of another, he must sacrifice his own life in response to the loss of the deceased. However, the law stipulates that in such instances, a redemption price may be accepted. The deep regard for human life serves as the fundamental bedrock that permeates the entirety of Israel's legal framework.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ex 21:32If he assault a bondman or bondwoman, he shall give thirty sicles of silver to their master, and the ox shall be stoned.
- Gen 9:5For I will require the blood of your lives at the hand of every beast, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every man, and of his brother, will I require the life of man.
- Gen 9:6Whosoever shall shed man's blood, his blood shall be shed: for man was made to the image of God.
- Lev 20:15He that shall copulate with any beast or cattle, dying let him die: the beast also ye shall kill.
- Lev 20:16The woman that shall lie under any beast, shall be killed together with the same. Their blood be upon them.