Exodus 22:1-6

1 Yf a man steake an oxe or shepe ad kylle it or selle it, he shall restore .v. oxen for an oxe, and .iiij. shepe for a shepe.

2 Yf a thefe be founde breakynge vpp ad be smytten that he dye, there shall no bloude be shed for him:

3 excepte the sonne be vpp when he is founde, then there shalbe bloude shed for him,A thefe shall make restitucyon: Yf he haue not wherewith, he shalbe solde for his thefte.

4 Yf the thefte be founde in his hande alyue (whether it be oxe, asse or shepe) he shall restore double.

5 Yf a man do hurte felde or vyneyarde, so that he put in his beest to fede in another mans felde: off the best off hys owne felde, and of the best of his awne vyneyarde, shall he make restitucyon.

6 Yf fyre breake out and catch in the thornes, so that the stoukes of corne or the stodynge corne or felde be consumed therwith: he that kynled the fyre shall make restitucyon.

Exodus 22:1-6 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.