Exodus 22:1-15

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• Examples to show us how to apply the Eighth Commandment. (See Case Law.)

Details and/or Comments

• Situations in which personal property is stolen or rendered useless, even through carelessness.

• Requirements related to the defense of one's property.

• Situations in which the personal property is stolen or rendered useless, while in the hands of a "third party."

(Examples: property that is stored for someone else; property that is borrowed/rented/leased.)

• In each case, not only must the property (or equivalent) be returned, but extra must be given to the person, to make up for loss of use, depending on the impact that the loss would have for the owner.

Scripture

Exodus 22:1-15

PART 1 - Restitution for stealing or destroying another's property, or for situations in which one's property is knowingly in the wrongful possession of another.

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Exo 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.	If property is stolen and killed/sold ...
Exo 22:2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him. Exo 22:3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt of bloodshed for him; ...	If the thief is killed by a person protecting his property (2 situations – night, when can't see the person, and day). Sixth Commandment
... he shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.	No exceptions for restitution. Servant, Slave
Exo 22:4 If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.	If the property is stolen and found still in good condition.
Exo 22:5 "If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten, and lets 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.	Restitution if you let your animal destroy someone else's property.
Exo 22:6 "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.	Restitution for carelessly destroying another's property.

PART 2 - Here, the focus here is on property that has been: 1) stored for someone else,2) borrowed/rented/leased. The situation may require special investigation. The judges are God's representatives.

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Exo 22:7 "If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house; if the thief is found, he shall pay double. Exo 22:8 If the thief isn't found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out if he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods.	Goods stored for someone else – if stolen, the matter must be investigated; thief pays double.
Exo 22:9 For every matter of trespass, whether it be 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 neighbor.	If two people claim the same property – the person in the wrong pays double.
Exo 22:10 "If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it; Exo 22:11 the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, whether he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.	If the property is hurt/lost with nobody knowing why – no restitution (nobody is at fault).
Exo 22:12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.	If stolen (perhaps implying carelessness by the borrower) – restitution required.
Exo 22:13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.	If attached (such as, by a wild animal) and killed – must prove it and then no restitution.
Exo 22:14 "If a man borrows anything of his neighbor's, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution. Exo 22:15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.	If borrowed/leased – depends on whether or not the actual owner is present. Either restitution (if he is not present) or only pay what was agreed in the lease (if present).

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—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.