Êxodo 23:4

4 Se encontrares desgarrado o boi do teu inimigo, ou o seu jumento, sem falta lho reconduzirás

Êxodo 23:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:4

If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray
Or any other beast, as the Samaritan version adds; for these are only mentioned for instances, as being more common, and creatures subject to go astray; now when such as these are met going astray, so as to be in danger of being lost to the owner, though he is an enemy; or as the Targum of Jonathan,

``whom thou hatest because of a sin, which thou alone knowest in him;''

yet this was not so far to prejudice the finder of his beasts against him, as to be careless about them, to suffer them to go on without acquainting him with them, or returning them to him, as follows:

thou shalt surely bring it back to him again;
whether it be an ox, or an ass, or any other beast, the law is very strong and binding upon the finder to return it to his neighbour, though an enemy, and bring it either to his field or to his farm.

Êxodo 23:4 In-Context

2 Nao seguirás a multidão para fazeres o mal; nem numa demanda darás testemunho, acompanhando a maioria, para perverteres a justiça;

3 nem mesmo ao pobre favorecerás na sua demanda.

4 Se encontrares desgarrado o boi do teu inimigo, ou o seu jumento, sem falta lho reconduzirás

5 Se vires deitado debaixo da sua carga o jumento daquele que te odeia, não passarás adiante; certamente o ajudarás a levantá-lo.

6 Não perverterás o direito do teu pobre na sua demanda.