Exodus 22:12

12 That if it is taken away by theft, he shall restore the harm to the lord; (But if it is taken away by theft, he shall yield recompense to its lord 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 If any man betaketh to his neighbour ox, ass, sheep, and all work beast to keeping, and it is dead, or is made feeble, or is taken of enemies, and no man seeth this, (If anyone taketh an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or any work beast, to his neighbour for safe keeping, and it dieth, or is hurt, or is taken by enemies, but no one seeth this,)

11 an oath shall be in the midst, that he held not forth his hand to the impairing of his neighbour's thing; and the lord that owned that good shall receive his oath, and he to whom it was taken shall not be compelled to yield, or restore it. (he shall make an oath before all, that he did not put forth his hand to the impairment of his neighbour's thing; and the lord who owned that thing shall receive his oath, and then he to whom the thing was given shall not be compelled to yield any recompense for it, or to restore it.)

12 That if it is taken away by theft, he shall restore the harm to the lord; (But if it is taken away by theft, he shall yield recompense to its lord for it;)

13 if it is eaten of a beast (and if it is eaten by a wild beast), he shall bring to the lord that that is slain, and he shall not (have to) restore it otherwise.

14 He that asketh of his neighbour anything of these foresaid things by borrowing, and it is enfeebled, either dead, while the lord thereof is not present, he shall be constrained to yield (for) it; (He who asketh to borrow from his neighbour any of these foresaid things, and it is enfeebled, or dead, while its lord is not present, he shall be compelled to yield recompense for it;)