Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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(2.) To make men careful that none of their cattle might do hurt, but that, by all means possible, mischief might be prevented. If the owner of the beast knew that he was mischievous, he must answer for the hurt done, and, according as the circumstances of the case proved him to be more or less accessory, he must either be put to death or ransom his life with a sum of money, Ex 21:29-32. Some of our ancient books make this felony, by the common law of England, and give this reason, "The owner, by suffering his beast to go at liberty when he knew it to be mischievous, shows that he was very willing that hurt should be done."
Note, It is not enough for us not to do mischief ourselves, but we must take care that no mischief be done by those whom it is in our power to restrain, whether man or beast.
30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the
ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according
to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give
unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not
cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;
In case of hurt done to oxen, or other cattle.
(1.) If they fall into a pit, and perish there, he that opened the pit must make good the loss, Ex 21:33,34. Note, We must take heed not only of doing that which will be hurtful, but of doing that which may be so. It is not enough not to design and devise mischief, but we must contrive to prevent mischief, else we become accessory to our neighbours' damage. Mischief done in malice is the great transgression; but mischief done through negligence, and for want of due care and consideration, is not without fault, but ought to be reflected upon with great regret, according as the degree of the mischief is: especially we must be careful that we do