Exodus 22:1-7

Laws about Theft

1 ^[a] "When a man steals an ox or a sheep^[b] and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep.^[c]

2 ^[d] If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is guilty of bloodshed.

3 But if this happens after sunrise,^[e] there is guilt of bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution. If he is unable, he is to be sold because of his theft.

4 If what was stolen-whether ox, donkey, or sheep-is actually found alive in his possession, he must repay double.

Laws about Crop Protection

5 "When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed in, and then allows his animals to go and graze in someone else's field, he must repay^[f] with the best of his own field or vineyard.

6 "When a fire gets out of control, spreads to thornbushes, and consumes stacks of cut grain, standing grain, or a field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution for what was burned.

Laws about Personal Property

7 "When a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, but they are stolen from that person's house, the thief, if caught, must repay double.

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Exodus 22:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 22

This chapter contains various laws concerning theft, Ex 22:1-4, concerning damage done to fields and vineyards by beasts, and to corn in stacks or standing, by fire, Ex 22:5,6, concerning anything or creature deposited in the hands of a neighbour, and they be stolen or lost by one means or another, Ex 22:7-13, concerning anything borrowed, and it comes to any damage, Ex 22:14,15, concerning fornication, Ex 22:16,17 concerning witchcraft, bestiality, and idolatry, Ex 22:18-20 concerning oppression, and affliction of the stranger, fatherless, and widow, Ex 22:21-24 concerning taking usury and pledges, Ex 22:25-27, concerning irreverence to magistrates, Ex 22:28, concerning the offering of firstfruits to God, Ex 22:29,30 and the chapter is concluded with a prohibition of eating anything torn by beasts, Ex 22:31.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 6

[a]. Ex 21:37 in Hb
[b]. The Hb word can refer to sheep or goats.
[c]. 2 Sm 12:4,6; Lk 19:8
[d]. Ex 22:1 in Hb
[e]. Lit if the sun has risen over him
[f]. LXX adds from his field according to its produce. But if someone lets his animals graze an entire field, he must repay; DSS, Sam also support this reading.