I have covered Exodus 21:1-11 and Exodus 21:18-27 in previous posts concerning what is going on in those passages.
But I want to look in this post at Exodus 21:32.
Here’s the passage:
If the ox gores a male or female slave, [ai]the owner shall give his or her master [aj]thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
Here’s my thoughts:
- This chapter addresses various case laws. This include what happen when there are animals that injure human beings, which is the specific passage of Exodus 21:28-32. Overall theme is compensation for injuries.
- In verses 28-31 there’s the overall principle of justice of an “eye for an eye.”
- But in verse 32 one might wonder how is it fair since the principle of eye for an eye doesn’t seem to be operative. Rather the compensation is towards the slave master, when the slave is injured.
- The master might not be able to then get his financial expectation from the injured slave is why this passage is here. Also a master might now have to care for his injured slave.
- This discussion should not be done in a vacuum. A nonbeliever reading this and judging over God’s Word must give an account of morality that does not originate from the God of the BIble, if God Himself is rejected as the basis of morality. See my Atheism and the problem of Morality on the problem.
- Yet when one feel there is something not fair, I think of “thirty shekel” elsewhere in the Bible. I think of the Messianic prophecy: “Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:13). When I think of Jesus being King dying with the thirty silver cost that moves me to think of loving Jesus in light of this context
Amazing. 💗👏
Thanks for reading this dear sister Deborah
Good reminder:
“A nonbeliever reading this and judging over God’s Word must give an account of morality that does not originate from the God of the BIble, if God Himself is rejected as the basis of morality. “
Amen! Thanks for reading this brother Frank!
What great insight. Love this: “When I think of Jesus being King dying with the thirty silver cost that moves me to think of loving Jesus in light of this context”
Blessings.
Amen brother Michael, amen to that!
Jesus had a slave’s valuation in the eyes of the priests and Judas. Judas undoubtably thought that Jesus would escape the authorities clutches like He did so many times. Judas would not have ended his opportunity to pilfer the purse in the future (Jn.12.6). Nevertheless, Judas must have been under tremendous pressure to pay back a loan by Passover. Ps. 109.11 speaks of a creditor seizing his wealth.
Psalm 109:11 is a fascinating passage and insight. TY
Regarding 21:24, the LXX gives more information. This requirement apparently is for the specific context of the passage, not extended as a general principle of Justice. But nonetheless it’s within the context of a formal Justice system where cases are presented, judgements rendered, and penalties applied.
Regarding the payment for an injured servant, it may be to cover their pay while they recover given what it says: Deuteronomy 24:15 You must pay his [servants] wage that very day before the sun sets, for he is poor and his life depends on it. Otherwise he will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Wow this is good thanks for sharing that. God is just.
Thanks for the good analysis. It’s unfair and naive to compare and condemn ancient economics/social mores directly to our times.
Thank you brother for reading this! Yes background for context is very important! I was thinking in June I will have a smaller trip and can you write a guest post?
Yup, I can certainly write a guest post. When would you need it by?
Excellent post on Exodus brother Jimmy! I thought the comment by K&D below was a good one.
[1] “There are other ancient nations in whose law books we find laws relating to the punishment of animals for killing or wounding a man, but not one of them had a law which made the owner of the animal responsible as well, for they none of them looked upon human life in its likeness of God.”
1-C. F. Keil and Delitzsch F., Commentary on the Old Testament, Accordance electronic ed. (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996), paragraph 1103.
Wow that’s good. Thanks for digging!!!!
Good stuff; I especially like how you tied this in to the thirty shekels of silver that the chief priests paid Judas for betraying our Lord Jesus.
Thanks for reading this to the end! Blessings to you Keith!
Same to you, Brother!
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