Exodus 23:4

4 Wenn du deines Feindes Ochsen oder Esel begegnest, daß er irrt, so sollst du ihm denselben wieder zuführen

Exodus 23:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 23:4

If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray
Or any other beast, as the Samaritan version adds; for these are only mentioned for instances, as being more common, and creatures subject to go astray; now when such as these are met going astray, so as to be in danger of being lost to the owner, though he is an enemy; or as the Targum of Jonathan,

``whom thou hatest because of a sin, which thou alone knowest in him;''

yet this was not so far to prejudice the finder of his beasts against him, as to be careless about them, to suffer them to go on without acquainting him with them, or returning them to him, as follows:

thou shalt surely bring it back to him again;
whether it be an ox, or an ass, or any other beast, the law is very strong and binding upon the finder to return it to his neighbour, though an enemy, and bring it either to his field or to his farm.

Exodus 23:4 In-Context

2 Du sollst nicht folgen der Menge zum Bösen und nicht also verantworten vor Gericht, daß du der Menge nach vom Rechten weichest.

3 Du sollst den Geringen nicht beschönigen in seiner Sache.

4 Wenn du deines Feindes Ochsen oder Esel begegnest, daß er irrt, so sollst du ihm denselben wieder zuführen

5 Wenn du den Esel des, der dich haßt, siehst unter seiner Last liegen, hüte dich, und laß ihn nicht, sondern versäume gerne das Deine um seinetwillen.

6 Du sollst das Recht deines Armen nicht beugen in seiner Sache.