Exodus 22:12

12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must pay the owner for it.

Exodus 22:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:12

And if it be stolen from him
Or "but if" ^F24 it was taken away by theft; and that "from with him" ^F25, as it may be literally rendered, from among his own cattle, and they not taken; and he being present, pretending to have an eye upon them and keep them, but was careless and negligent, at least, if he did not connive at the theft:

he shall make restitution to the owner thereof;
for in such a case there was ground for suspicion of fraud; however, there was apparent carelessness, and it was but just he should make restitution, since he had hire or wages for keeping it; which is the reason Aben Ezra gives for it, and is suggested by the Targum of Jonathan; which adds to the former clause, by way of explanation,

``that which was with him to be kept for a reward.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Ma yk) "si autem", Drusius.
F25 (wmem) "e cum eo", Montanus.

Exodus 22:12 In-Context

10 "Suppose a man asks his neighbor to keep his donkey, ox, sheep, or some other animal for him, and that animal dies, gets hurt, or is taken away, without anyone seeing what happened.

11 That neighbor must promise before the Lord that he did not harm or kill the other man's animal, and the owner of the animal must accept his promise made before God. The neighbor does not have to pay the owner for the animal.

12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must pay the owner for it.

13 If wild animals killed it, the neighbor must bring the body as proof, and he will not have to pay for the animal that was killed.

14 "If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it gets hurt or dies while the owner is not there, the one who borrowed it must pay the owner for the animal.