Exodus Chapter 22
1 "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.
3 If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.
5 "If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
6 "If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7 "If a man delivers to his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
8 If the thief isn't found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbour's goods.
9 For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, 'This is mine,' the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbour.
10 "If a man delivers to his neighbour a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it;
11 the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbour's goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
12 But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.
13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.
14 "If a man borrows anything of his neighbour's, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.
16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19 "Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 "He who sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.
21 "You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
22 "You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.
23 If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
26 If you take your neighbour's garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,
27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.
28 "You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 "You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. "You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me.
30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31 "You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.
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Exodus Chapter 22 Guide
The laws of property follow. The section really begins with verse Exodus 21:33 of the previous chapter. These laws also began by laying emphasis on the guilt of carelessness. The truth emphasized is that no man must live his life on the basis of selfishness or wholly alone and that wrong inflicted on neighbour by neighbour in the material realm becomes sin against God in the moral realm.
Specific instructions were given on the responsibility of trustees. Within clearly defined limitations, a man is to be held responsible for goods deposited with him.
A group of laws seemingly having no direct sequence or connection follows. Two of them deal with sins of unchastity. Between these occurs a blunt and stem word, "Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live." Humanity has ever had a craving after what sometimes is termed the occult. Invariably such traffic is injurious to life.
A law characterized by great tenderness was enunciated for the protection of the stranger, showing that God hears the cry and avenges the sorrows of any oppressed people.
While the rights of property had been carefully safeguarded in previous words, now the inherent rights of life were shown to be superior. Usury was not to be practised, and necessary things held in pledge must be restored for necessary use.
Closely following on these laws which make serious demands on men, we have words demanding reverence for God expressed in fidelity to Him in the matter of offerings.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Exodus Chapter 22 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Judicial laws.
The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Tit 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.