Exodus 21:35"If one man's bull injures another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they shall also divide the dead animal.
The setting
Mount Sinai wilderness, modern-day Egypt. ~1440 BC. Moses receives detailed civil laws for a nomadic people becoming a nation...
The emotion here: systematic care for recording divine justice principles
The original word
pagash (פגש) — to strike accidentally, unintentional collision
Why it matters
This is one of history's first recorded liability laws for animal accidents
Read with care
What most readers miss in Exodus 21:35
Both owners share the loss equally — revolutionary fairness for the ancient world
Common misconceptionPeople think Old Testament law was harsh, but this shows remarkable fairness — when accidents happen, both parties share the loss equally rather than one person bearing it all.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Exodus 21:35
Bible Genome reading
Exodus 21:35 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Exodus 21:35 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 justice, restitution. Notable phrases: sell the live bull; divide its price. 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 21:35 mean to you, today?
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