Ye shall not steal
Which is the eighth command; (See Gill on Exodus
20:15); though Jarchi thinks something different from
that law is here intended; that this is a caution against
stealing of money, that in the decalogue against stealing of
souls, or men. And it may be observed, that one is expressed in
the singular number, the other in the plural, as here, and takes
in more; not the actual thief only, but he that sees and is
silent, who, as Aben Ezra observes, is even as the thief; and
perhaps this follows upon the preceding laws, to suggest, that he
that deprives the poor of the corner of the field, and of the
gleaning Of the harvest and vintage, is as if he robbed; and the
last mentioned writer seems to make the force of this depend on
that: and Maimonides F23 on the above law observes, that he
that put a basket under a vine, in the time of gathering grapes,
robbed the poor:
neither deal falsely;
in any respect defrauding and over reaching in trade and
commerce, particularly not being faithful to a trust committed to
them; so Aben Ezra restrains it to what is deposited with a man
to keep, which he denies he ever had; and he observes, that he
that knows it, and does not bear witness of it, is as he that
deals falsely; and such an one, according to a former law, having
sworn falsely, and, when convicted, was obliged to restore the
principal, and add a fifth part, and bring a trespass offering to
make atonement for his sin likewise, ( Leviticus
6:2-7 ) :
neither lie one to another;
in common speech and conversation, in trade and business, and
particularly by demanding money of a man who never had anything
of him, as Aben Ezra; and who owes him nothing, and yet affirms,
with a lie, that he is indebted to him, and insists on payment.