Exodus 22:1-11

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,

11 then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he has not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods, and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

Exodus 22:1-11 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.