Exodus 21:30
New International Version
However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.

New Living Translation
However, the dead person’s relatives may accept payment to compensate for the loss of life. The owner of the ox may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.

English Standard Version
If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him.

Berean Standard Bible
If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

King James Bible
If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

New King James Version
If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him.

New American Standard Bible
If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him.

NASB 1995
“If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him.

NASB 1977
“If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him.

Legacy Standard Bible
If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him.

Amplified Bible
If a ransom is demanded of him [in return for his life], then he shall give whatever is demanded for the redemption of his life.

Christian Standard Bible
If instead a ransom is demanded of him, he can pay a redemption price for his life in the full amount demanded from him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If instead a ransom is demanded of him, he can pay a redemption price for his life in the full amount demanded from him.

American Standard Version
If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Contemporary English Version
However, you may save your own life by paying whatever fine is demanded.

English Revised Version
If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, if only a cash settlement is demanded from the owner, the bull's owner may save his life by paying whatever price is demanded of him.

Good News Translation
However, if the owner is allowed to pay a fine to save his life, he must pay the full amount required.

International Standard Version
If a fine is imposed on him, he may pay all that was imposed on him as a ransom for his life.

Majority Standard Bible
If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

NET Bible
If a ransom is set for him, then he must pay the redemption for his life according to whatever amount was set for him.

New Heart English Bible
If a ransom is laid on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is laid on him.

Webster's Bible Translation
If there shall be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever is laid upon him.

World English Bible
If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If atonement is laid on him, then he has given the ransom of his life, according to all that is laid on him;

Young's Literal Translation
'If atonement is laid upon him, then he hath given the ransom of his life, according to all that is laid upon him;

Smith's Literal Translation
If an expiation shall be put upon him, the price of redemption of his soul according to all which shall be put upon him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if they set a price upon him, he shall give for his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if they have imposed a price on him, he shall give, in exchange for his life, whatever is asked.

New American Bible
If, however, a fine is imposed on him, he must pay in ransom for his life whatever amount is imposed on him.

New Revised Standard Version
If a ransom is imposed on the owner, then the owner shall pay whatever is imposed for the redemption of the victim’s life.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if a sum of money is imposed on him, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever they ask from him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if they shall impose money upon him, he will give the redemption of his life as much as they ask him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If there be laid on him a ransom, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if a ransom should be imposed on him, he shall pay for the ransom of his soul as much as they shall lay upon him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Personal Injury Laws
29But if the ox has a habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or woman, then the ox must be stoned and its owner must also be put to death. 30If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him. 31If the ox gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.…

Cross References
Numbers 35:31
You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.

Leviticus 24:18
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life.

Deuteronomy 19:21
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:20
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Proverbs 6:35
He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 2:6
who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”


Treasury of Scripture

If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever is laid on him.

for the ransom

Exodus 21:22
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Exodus 30:12
When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.

Numbers 35:31-33
Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death…

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Atonement Demanded Fixed However Imposed Laid Money Paying Payment Price Ransom Redeem Redemption Satisfaction Sum Whatever Whatsoever
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Atonement Demanded Fixed However Imposed Laid Money Paying Payment Price Ransom Redeem Redemption Satisfaction Sum Whatever Whatsoever
Exodus 21
1. Laws for men servants
5. For the servant whose ear is bored
7. For women servants
12. For manslaughter
16. For kidnappers
17. For cursers of parents
18. For smiters
22. For a hurt by chance
28. For an ox that gores
33. For him who is an occasion of harm














If payment is demanded of him instead
This phrase introduces the concept of a compensatory system within the ancient Israelite legal framework. The Hebrew word for "payment" here is "kofer," which can be understood as a ransom or compensation. This reflects a legal and moral principle where the value of life and justice is balanced through restitution. Historically, this system allowed for a form of justice that was both punitive and redemptive, acknowledging human fallibility while providing a path for reconciliation.

he may redeem his life
The term "redeem" is derived from the Hebrew "padah," which means to ransom or rescue. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, symbolizing deliverance and salvation. In the broader scriptural context, redemption is a recurring theme, pointing to God's ultimate plan of salvation through Christ. Here, it underscores the value of life and the possibility of restoration, even when one has committed a grave offense.

by paying the full amount demanded of him
The phrase emphasizes the requirement of full restitution, which is a principle of justice in the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew word for "full amount" is "kesef," meaning silver or money, indicating a tangible, measurable compensation. This reflects the seriousness of the offense and the necessity for the offender to take full responsibility for their actions. In a spiritual sense, it points to the completeness of Christ's atonement, where He paid the full price for humanity's sins, offering redemption to all who believe.

(30) Whatsoever is laid upon him.--Primarily, by the aggrieved relatives; but in the case of an exorbitant demand there was, no doubt, an appeal to the judges, who would then fix the amount.

Verse 30. - If there be a fine laid upon him. There can scarcely have been any circumstances under which the penalty of death would have been enforced. No neglect could bring the crime into the category of murder. It is assumed, therefore, that practically the penalty would be a fine, proportioned no doubt to the value of the life taken.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

payment
כֹּ֖פֶר (kō·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3724: A cover, a village, bitumen, the henna plant, a redemption-price

is demanded
יוּשַׁ֣ת (yū·šaṯ)
Verb - QalPass - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7896: To put, set

of him {instead},
עָלָ֑יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

he may redeem
פִּדְיֹ֣ן (piḏ·yōn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6306: Ransom, that were redeemed, redemption

his life
נַפְשׁ֔וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

by paying
וְנָתַן֙ (wə·nā·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the full
כְּכֹ֥ל (kə·ḵōl)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

amount demanded
יוּשַׁ֖ת (yū·šaṯ)
Verb - QalPass - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7896: To put, set

of him.
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Law: Exodus 21:30 If a ransom is laid on him (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 21:29
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