Exodus 22:1-10

1 If a man shall steal an ox or a sheep and kill it or sell it he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

2 If a thief is found breaking into a house and is smitten so he dies, he that killed him shall not be guilty of his blood.

3 If the sun is risen upon him, he that killed him is guilty of his blood; the thief should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

4 If he is found with the theft in his hand, whether it be ox or ass or sheep, he shall restore double.

5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten and shall put in his beast and shall feed in another man’s field; of the best of his own field and of the best of his own vineyard shall he make restitution.

6 When fires are lit and in burning the thorns burn also the stacks of sheaves or the standing grain, or the field is consumed; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

7 When a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief is found, let him pay double.

8 If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges to see whether he has put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods.

9 For all manner of fraud, whether it be for an ox, for an ass, for a sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challenges to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.

10 If a man delivers unto his neighbour an ass or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep, and it dies or is hurt or driven away, no man seeing it,

Exodus 22:1-10 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.