Exodus 21:33-34

Injury caused by culpable neglect in leaving an open pit.

open i.e. open a pit which already existed = reopen.

a pit for the storage of water or (cf. Jeremiah 41:8; Thomson, L. and B.i. 89, 90, ii. 194, iii. 458) grain, or perhaps also for the capture of wild beasts. Thomson (ii. 283) writes, -I have been astonished at the recklessness with which wells and pits are left uncovered and unprotected all over this country"; and adds that he had seen a blind man walk into such a well, and known a valuable horse lost similarly