Exodus 22:8-18

8 If the thief shall not be found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges, [to see] whether he hath put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

9 For all manner of trespass, [whether it be] for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, [or] for any manner of lost thing which [another] challengeth to be his: the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; [and] he whom the judges shall condemn, shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 If a man shall deliver to his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast to keep; and it shall die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing [it]:

11 [Then] shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept of it, and he shall not make restitution.

12 And if it shall be stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.

13 If it shall be torn in pieces; [then] let him bring it [for] witness, [and] he shall not make good that which was torn.

14 And if a man shall borrow [aught] of his neighbor, and it shall be hurt, or die, the owner of it [being] not with it, he shall surely make [it] good.

15 [But] if the owner of it shall [be] with it, he shall not make [it] good: if it [be] a hired [thing], it came for his hire.

16 And if a man shall entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

17 If her father shall utterly refuse to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dower of virgins.

18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Exodus 22:8-18 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.