34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.
34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.
34 the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his.
34 the owner of the pit must pay whatever the animal is worth to its owner but can keep the dead animal.
34 the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.
34 The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 21:34
Commentary on Exodus 21:22-36
(Read Exodus 21:22-36)
The cases here mentioned give rules of justice then, and still in use, for deciding similar matters. We are taught by these laws, that we must be very careful to do no wrong, either directly or indirectly. If we have done wrong, we must be very willing to make it good, and be desirous that nobody may lose by us.