Exodus 21:36

Key Reflection

In Exodus 21:36, if a bull from one household injures and kills an animal belonging to another, the owner of the injured animal must first sell the living offending bull. The price received from this sale is then split between both parties—dividing the live bull’s worth while also splitting the deceased animal. This law reflects a societal context where animals were integral to agricultural livelihoods, and such regulations aimed to balance justice with practicality, ensuring that no one was left destitute due to a tragic accident involving livestock.