Exodus 21:31Whether it has gored a son or has gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him.
The setting
Mount Sinai, ~1446 BC. God establishes radical equality - daughters have same legal protection as sons. Modern-day Egypt/Saudi Arabia border.
The emotion here: amazed at recording divine equality that surpassed cultural norms
The original word
mishpat (משפט) — judgment, justice that applies equally regardless of person
Why it matters
This gender equality in legal protection was revolutionary for 1500 BC - most ancient cultures valued sons much higher
Read with care
What most readers miss in Exodus 21:31
In a patriarchal world, explicitly mentioning daughters shows God's radical commitment to equal justice
Common misconceptionPeople think the Bible devalues women, but this 3,500-year-old law explicitly gives daughters equal legal protection - more progressive than many modern societies.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Exodus 21:31
Bible Genome reading
Exodus 21:31 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Exodus 21:31 comes from the book of Exodus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include equal treatment, children protection. Notable phrases: gored a son; gored a daughter; according to this judgment. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Exodus 21:31 mean to you, today?
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