1 If a man H376 shall steal H1589 an ox, H7794 or a sheep, H7716 and kill H2873 it, or sell H4376 it; he shall restore H7999 five H2568 oxen H1241 for an ox, H7794 and four H702 sheep H6629 for a sheep. H7716
And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses, H4872 saying, H559 If a soul H5315 sin, H2398 and commit H4603 a trespass H4604 against the LORD, H3068 and lie H3584 unto his neighbour H5997 in that which was delivered H6487 him to keep, or in fellowship, H8667 H3027 or in a thing taken away by violence, H1498 or hath deceived H6231 his neighbour; H5997 Or have found H4672 that which was lost, H9 and lieth H3584 concerning it, and sweareth H7650 falsely; H8267 in any H259 of all these that a man H120 doeth, H6213 sinning H2398 therein: H2007 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, H2398 and is guilty, H816 that he shall restore H7725 that H1500 which he took violently away, H1497 or the thing H6233 which he hath deceitfully gotten, H6231 or that which was delivered H6487 H853 him to keep, H6485 or the lost thing H9 which he found, H4672 Or all that about which he hath sworn H7650 falsely; H8267 he shall even restore H7999 it in the principal, H7218 and shall add H3254 the fifth part H2549 more H3254 thereto, and give H5414 it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day H3117 of his trespass offering. H819 And he shall bring H935 his trespass offering H817 unto the LORD, H3068 a ram H352 without blemish H8549 out of the flock, H6629 with thy estimation, H6187 for a trespass offering, H817 unto the priest: H3548
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 22
Commentary on Exodus 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 22
Ex 22:1-31. Laws concerning Theft.
1-4. If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep—The law respects the theft of cattle which constituted the chief part of their property. The penalty for the theft of a sheep which was slain or sold, was fourfold; for an ox fivefold, because of its greater utility in labor; but, should the stolen animal have been recovered alive, a double compensation was all that was required, because it was presumable he (the thief) was not a practised adept in dishonesty. A robber breaking into a house at midnight might, in self-defense, be slain with impunity; but if he was slain after sunrise, it would be considered murder, for it was not thought likely an assault would then be made upon the lives of the occupants. In every case where a thief could not make restitution, he was sold as a slave for the usual term.
6. If fire break out, and catch in thorns—This refers to the common practice in the East of setting fire to the dry grass before the fall of the autumnal rains, which prevents the ravages of vermin, and is considered a good preparation of the ground for the next crop. The very parched state of the herbage and the long droughts of summer, make the kindling of a fire an operation often dangerous, and always requiring caution from its liability to spread rapidly.
stacks—or as it is rendered "shocks" (Jud 15:5; Job 5:26), means simply a bundle of loose sheaves.
26, 27. If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, &c.—From the nature of the case, this is the description of a poor man. No Orientals undress, but, merely throwing off their turbans and some of their heavy outer garments, they sleep in the clothes which they wear during the day. The bed of the poor is usually nothing else than a mat; and, in winter, they cover themselves with a cloak—a practice which forms the ground or reason of the humane and merciful law respecting the pawned coat.
28. gods—a word which is several times in this chapter rendered "judges" or magistrates.
the ruler of thy people—and the chief magistrate who was also the high priest, at least in the time of Paul (Ac 23:1-5).