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.
If an ox gore a man. For the purpose of sanctifying human blood, and representing all injuries affecting life in a serious light, an animal that occasioned death was to be killed, or suffer punishment proportioned to the degree of damage it had caused.
Verse 29. But if the ox were wont to push ... and it hath been testified to his owner. According to Jewish writers, this notification required to be done three separate times before a magistrate. But that he hath killed a man or a woman - who was free (cf. Exodus 21:32).
Verse 30. If there be laid on him a sum of money - as some sort of compensation for the loss of a relative, the amount being determined either by the Go'el, the blood-avenger, who was the nearest kinsman or by a public judge, who, from a calm and careful consideration of extenuating circumstances, which might lessen the culpability of the owner-such as the breaking of the halter, the overleaping of fences, or the negligence of the keeper-would be qualified to give a just and satisfactory award.
Verse 32. Thirty shekels of silver. This sum, which was to be given to a master as compensation for the goring of a man-servant or a maid-servant, was half of the freeman's value (cf. Hosea 1:3; Matthew 26:15).
Verse 30. If there be laid ... Blood fines are common among the Arabs, as they were once general throughout the East. This is the only case where a money compensation, instead of capital punishment, was expressly allowed in the Mosaic law. Punishments are still inflicted on this principle in Persia and other countries of the East; and among a rude people greater effect is produced by these in inspiring caution, and making them keep noxious animals under restraint, than a penalty imposed on the owners.