^21:28⁵⁸ “If an ox⁵⁹ gores a man or a woman so that either dies,⁶⁰ then the ox must surely⁶¹ be stoned and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will be acquitted. ^21:29But if the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner was warned,⁶² and he did not take the necessary precautions,⁶³ and then it killed a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned and the man must be put to death.

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Footnotes

58 The point that this section of the laws makes is that one must ensure the safety of others by controlling the circumstances.
59 Traditionally “ox,” but “bull” would also be suitable. The term may refer to one of any variety of large cattle.
60 Heb “and he dies”; “that they die”; , “to death.”
61 The text uses סָקוֹל יִסָּקֵל (saqol yissaqel), a Qal infinitive absolute with a Niphal imperfect. The infinitive intensifies the imperfect, which here has an obligatory nuance or is a future of instruction.
62 The Hophal perfect has the idea of “attested, testified against.”
63 Heb “he was not keeping it” or perhaps guarding or watching it (referring to the ox).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. But if the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not kept it in, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its meat may not be eaten, but the ox’s owner is innocent. However, if the ox was in the habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned, and its owner must also be put to death.

NLTNew Living Translation

“If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable. But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“ ‘And if an ox gores a man or a woman and he dies, the ox will surely be stoned, and its meat will not be eaten, and the owner of the ox is innocent. But if it was a goring ox before and its owner was warned and did not restrain it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox will be stoned, and the owner also will be put to death.

KJV 1900King James Version

If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

Public Domain