What does Exodus 21:34 mean?
"The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his." - Exodus 21:34

Exodus 21:34 in the King James Version (KJV) states, "The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his."
This verse is part of a section in the book of Exodus that contains a series of laws and regulations known as the "Book of the Covenant." These laws were given by God to Moses for the Israelites to follow as they journeyed through the wilderness after their liberation from Egypt. The purpose of these laws was to provide guidance on how the Israelites were to live in community and to ensure justice and fairness in their society.
The specific verse, Exodus 21:34, addresses the issue of liability and restitution in the case of a pit belonging to one person causing harm to the property of another. In this context, the owner of the pit is responsible for making reparations to the owner of the animal that was injured or killed as a result of falling into the pit. This principle of liability demonstrates a concern for the well-being of others and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of justice and fairness. The law outlined in this verse ensures that the owner of the pit takes responsibility for the harm caused by their property and provides restitution to the injured party. This reflects the broader theme of justice that runs throughout the Book of Exodus and the Old Testament as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of accountability and the need to make amends for any harm inflicted on others.
Another theme present in this verse is the value of property and the importance of protecting it. In ancient agrarian societies like that of the Israelites, property, including livestock, was essential for survival. By addressing the issue of property damage, this verse underscores the need to respect the property of others and to uphold the sanctity of ownership.
Symbolism is also evident in this verse. The "pit" can be seen as a metaphor for potential dangers or pitfalls in life. It serves as a warning to be mindful of the impact our actions may have on others and to take responsibility for any harm caused. The concept of the "dead beast" can symbolize the consequences of negligence or carelessness, as well as the need to provide restitution for the loss or harm inflicted.
In a broader context, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct and the need to uphold moral and legal obligations in our interactions with others. It teaches us to consider the well-being of our neighbors and to take responsibility for the consequences of our actions.
The principle outlined in Exodus 21:34 continues to have relevance in contemporary society. It reminds us of the importance of accountability and promoting fairness and justice in our communities. It encourages us to consider the impact of our actions on others and to take steps to make amends when harm is caused.
In conclusion, Exodus 21:34 in the King James Version (KJV) provides a valuable lesson in justice, responsibility, and accountability. It underscores the importance of upholding moral and legal obligations in our interactions with others and serves as a reminder of the need to make amends for any harm we may cause. This verse continues to offer timeless wisdom and guidance for how we should conduct ourselves in our relationships and communities.
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Exodus 21:34 - "The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his."
"The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his." - Exodus 21:34
Exodus 34:21 - "¶ Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest."
Exodus 40: 34
Exodus 21:33-34 KJV And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein; (34) The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them;
Genesis 21-34
Exodus 28:31-34
Exodus 28:31-34
Exodus 28:31-34
"¶ Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest." - Exodus 34:21
Exodus 34:17 - "Thou shalt make thee no molten gods."
Numbers 34:21 - "Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon."
Genesis 21:34 - "And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days."
Exodus 34:5 - "And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD."
Exodus 40:34 - "¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."
Exodus 34:8 - "And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped."
Exodus 34:13 - "But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:"
Exodus 34:33 - "And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face."
Exodus 34:14 - "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:"
Exodus 26:34 - "And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place."
Exodus 34:34 - "But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded."
Exodus 16:34 - "As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept."
Exodus 25:34 - "And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers."
Exodus 39:34 - "And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,"
Psalms 34:21 - "Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate."
Exodus 14: 21
Exodus 12:34 - "And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders."
Exodus 36:34 - "And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold."
Exodus 34:22 - "¶ And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end."
Job 34:21 - "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings."