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.
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
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.
If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods.
For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth 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.
If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
Exodus 22 delves into the practical implications of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, focusing on justice, compassion, and holiness within their community. This chapter provides a detailed look at the laws governing various aspects of daily life, from theft and property rights to social responsibility and religious observance. These laws were not merely legalistic rules, but rather expressions of God's character and His desire for a just and righteous society.
Laws Concerning Property and Restitution (Exodus 22:1-15)
The opening verses address the issue of theft and the consequences for those who violate the property rights of others. Exodus 22:1-4 stipulates that thieves must make full restitution, sometimes even multiple times the value of what was stolen. The severity of the repayment (Exodus 22:1, 4) served as a significant deterrent. This was intended not just as punishment, but as a way to restore what was lost and discourage future offenses. The law also makes a distinction between theft committed at night and during the day. If a thief was caught in the act at night and killed, the homeowner was considered guiltless (Exodus 22:2). However, during daylight hours, the owner would be guilty if he killed a thief (Exodus 22:3). This distinction likely reflects the greater threat and vulnerability felt at night.
Exodus 22:5-6 addresses damages to property caused by negligence. In an agrarian society, damage to crops could be devastating. Therefore, if a man's field was damaged through the negligence of another, restitution was required. This highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the need to be accountable for one's actions, especially when they impact the livelihood of others.
Verses 7-15 provide regulations for settling disputes over personal property, particularly when someone borrowed or was entrusted with their neighbor's goods or animals. These laws emphasize honesty, transparency, and accountability in all dealings. They offer practical guidelines for resolving conflicts and ensuring fairness in transactions.
Moral Boundaries and Sexual Integrity (Exodus 22:16-17)
The law addresses the issue of promiscuity and its harmful effects on families. If a man seduced a virgin and slept with her, he was obligated to pay the bridal price and potentially marry her (Exodus 22:16). This law highlights the value of women and the importance of protecting their honor and dignity. Even if the father refused to give his daughter in marriage, the man was still required to pay the bridal price (Exodus 22:17), underscoring the seriousness of the offense. This demonstrates that the law recognized the vulnerability of women and sought to provide them with protection and recourse.
Capital Crimes and the Rejection of God (Exodus 22:18-20)
These verses list additional capital crimes, including sorcery, bestiality, and offering sacrifices to false gods. Sorcery and idolatry were essentially a rejection of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-4), demonstrating a turning away from God and embracing false beliefs and practices. Bestiality is a form of immorality that not only rejects marriage as the proper framework for sexual intercourse (Exodus 20:14), but also rejects God's created order and the distinction between humanity and animals. According to biblical classifications, man is no mere mammal. These acts were considered so egregious because they undermined the very foundation of Israel's relationship with God and the moral fabric of their society.
Compassion for the Vulnerable (Exodus 22:21-27)
These verses emphasize the importance of caring for the vulnerable members of society, including resident aliens, widows, and the fatherless. Every society has its vulnerable. Israel was expected to care for these classes of people, seeing that they were not oppressed. The Israelites were to remember that they too were once resident aliens in Egypt; therefore, they were not to oppress resident aliens in their own land (Exodus 22:21). God promised to hear the cry of the widow and the fatherless if they were mistreated; thus, their oppressors would not go unpunished (Exodus 22:22-24). Loans of money or goods to fellow Israelites were to help the poor not to harm them by making their situations worse. Israelites were not to charge them interest or to take their life’s necessities as collateral (Exodus 22:25-27). These laws reflect God's heart for the marginalized and His expectation that His people would extend compassion and justice to those in need.
Reverence for God and His Holiness (Exodus 22:28-31)
The concluding verses of Exodus 22 address the importance of reverence for God and His representatives, as well as the need to maintain holiness in all aspects of life. The people were not to curse God or one of his appointed leaders (Exodus 22:28). They were also not to defraud God by withholding their offerings and firstborn—which belonged to him (Exodus 22:29-30). Israel was the Lord’s holy people. So they were to eat meat only in prescribed ways (Exodus 22:31). These regulations underscore the importance of honoring God in both word and deed, and of recognizing His sovereignty over all things.
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.
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
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.
If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods.
For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth 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.
If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
Exodus 22 delves into the practical implications of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, focusing on justice, compassion, and holiness within their community. This chapter provides a detailed look at the laws governing various aspects of daily life, from theft and property rights to social responsibility and religious observance. These laws were not merely legalistic rules, but rather expressions of God's character and His desire for a just and righteous society.
Laws Concerning Property and Restitution (Exodus 22:1-15)
The opening verses address the issue of theft and the consequences for those who violate the property rights of others. Exodus 22:1-4 stipulates that thieves must make full restitution, sometimes even multiple times the value of what was stolen. The severity of the repayment (Exodus 22:1, 4) served as a significant deterrent. This was intended not just as punishment, but as a way to restore what was lost and discourage future offenses. The law also makes a distinction between theft committed at night and during the day. If a thief was caught in the act at night and killed, the homeowner was considered guiltless (Exodus 22:2). However, during daylight hours, the owner would be guilty if he killed a thief (Exodus 22:3). This distinction likely reflects the greater threat and vulnerability felt at night.
Exodus 22:5-6 addresses damages to property caused by negligence. In an agrarian society, damage to crops could be devastating. Therefore, if a man's field was damaged through the negligence of another, restitution was required. This highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the need to be accountable for one's actions, especially when they impact the livelihood of others.
Verses 7-15 provide regulations for settling disputes over personal property, particularly when someone borrowed or was entrusted with their neighbor's goods or animals. These laws emphasize honesty, transparency, and accountability in all dealings. They offer practical guidelines for resolving conflicts and ensuring fairness in transactions.
Moral Boundaries and Sexual Integrity (Exodus 22:16-17)
The law addresses the issue of promiscuity and its harmful effects on families. If a man seduced a virgin and slept with her, he was obligated to pay the bridal price and potentially marry her (Exodus 22:16). This law highlights the value of women and the importance of protecting their honor and dignity. Even if the father refused to give his daughter in marriage, the man was still required to pay the bridal price (Exodus 22:17), underscoring the seriousness of the offense. This demonstrates that the law recognized the vulnerability of women and sought to provide them with protection and recourse.
Capital Crimes and the Rejection of God (Exodus 22:18-20)
These verses list additional capital crimes, including sorcery, bestiality, and offering sacrifices to false gods. Sorcery and idolatry were essentially a rejection of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-4), demonstrating a turning away from God and embracing false beliefs and practices. Bestiality is a form of immorality that not only rejects marriage as the proper framework for sexual intercourse (Exodus 20:14), but also rejects God's created order and the distinction between humanity and animals. According to biblical classifications, man is no mere mammal. These acts were considered so egregious because they undermined the very foundation of Israel's relationship with God and the moral fabric of their society.
Compassion for the Vulnerable (Exodus 22:21-27)
These verses emphasize the importance of caring for the vulnerable members of society, including resident aliens, widows, and the fatherless. Every society has its vulnerable. Israel was expected to care for these classes of people, seeing that they were not oppressed. The Israelites were to remember that they too were once resident aliens in Egypt; therefore, they were not to oppress resident aliens in their own land (Exodus 22:21). God promised to hear the cry of the widow and the fatherless if they were mistreated; thus, their oppressors would not go unpunished (Exodus 22:22-24). Loans of money or goods to fellow Israelites were to help the poor not to harm them by making their situations worse. Israelites were not to charge them interest or to take their life’s necessities as collateral (Exodus 22:25-27). These laws reflect God's heart for the marginalized and His expectation that His people would extend compassion and justice to those in need.
Reverence for God and His Holiness (Exodus 22:28-31)
The concluding verses of Exodus 22 address the importance of reverence for God and His representatives, as well as the need to maintain holiness in all aspects of life. The people were not to curse God or one of his appointed leaders (Exodus 22:28). They were also not to defraud God by withholding their offerings and firstborn—which belonged to him (Exodus 22:29-30). Israel was the Lord’s holy people. So they were to eat meat only in prescribed ways (Exodus 22:31). These regulations underscore the importance of honoring God in both word and deed, and of recognizing His sovereignty over all things.