Focused Passage

Exodus 22:1-15

Restitution, Responsibility, Social Holiness, and Compassionate Justice

The chapter moves from restitution for theft and property loss, to responsibility for entrusted goods and borrowed animals, to sexual and worship-related offenses, to compassionate justice for foreigners, widows, orphans, and the poor, and finally to holiness in speech, offerings, firstborn dedication, and food practice.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

2If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

3But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.

4If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

5If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

6If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.

7If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.

8If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has taken his neighbor’s property.

9In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.

10If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,

11an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

12But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.

13If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.

14If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.

15If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

Ifכִּ֤יH3588Conjunctiona manאִישׁ֙H376Noun - masculine singularstealsיִגְנֹֽב־H1589Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularan oxשׁ֣וֹרH7794Noun - masculine singularorאוֹ־H176Conjunctiona sheepשֶׂ֔הH7716Noun - masculine singularand slaughtersוּטְבָח֖וֹH2873Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularorא֣וֹH176Conjunctionsells itמְכָר֑וֹH4376Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularhe must repayיְשַׁלֵּם֙H7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfiveחֲמִשָּׁ֣הH2568Number - masculine singularoxenבָקָ֗רH1241Noun - masculine singularforתַּ֣חַתH8478Preposition. . .תַּ֥חַתH8478Prepositionan oxהַשּׁ֔וֹרH7794Article | Noun - masculine singularand fourוְאַרְבַּע־H702Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singularsheepהַשֶּֽׂה׃H7716Article | Noun - masculine singularfor a sheepצֹ֖אןH6629Noun - common singular

BSB notes

  • Or a bull or a cow; also in verses 4, 9, and 10
Verse 2

Original words

Ifאִם־H518Conjunctiona thiefהַגַּנָּ֖בH1590Article | Noun - masculine singularis caughtיִמָּצֵ֥אH4672Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularbreaking inבַּמַּחְתֶּ֛רֶתH4290Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singularand is beatenוְהֻכָּ֣הH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularto deathוָמֵ֑תH4191Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularno oneאֵ֥יןH369Adverbvvvל֖וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularshall be guilty of bloodshedדָּמִֽים׃H1818Noun - masculine plural
Verse 3

Original words

But ifאִם־H518Conjunctionit happens after sunriseזָרְחָ֥הH2224Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular. . .הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁH8121Article | Noun - common singular. . .עָלָ֖יוH5921Preposition | third person masculine singularthere is guilt for his bloodshedדָּמִ֣יםH1818Noun - masculine plural. . .ל֑וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularA thief must make full restitutionשַׁלֵּ֣םH7999Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute. . .יְשַׁלֵּ֔םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularifאִם־H518Conjunctionhe has nothingאֵ֣יןH369Adverbhe himself shall be soldוְנִמְכַּ֖רH4376Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfor his theftבִּגְנֵבָתֽוֹ׃H1591Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 4

Original words

If what was stolenאִֽם־H518Conjunction. . .הַגְּנֵבָ֗הH1591Article | Noun - feminine singularis actually foundהִמָּצֵא֩H4672Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute. . .תִמָּצֵ֨אH4672Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularaliveחַיִּ֑יםH2416Adjective - masculine pluralin his possessionבְיָד֜וֹH3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularwhether oxמִשּׁ֧וֹרH7794Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singularorעַד־H5704Prepositiondonkeyחֲמ֛וֹרH2543Noun - masculine singularorעַד־H5704Prepositionsheepשֶׂ֖הH7716Noun - masculine singularhe must pay backיְשַׁלֵּֽם׃סH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singulardoubleשְׁנַ֖יִםH8147Number - md
Verse 5

Original words

Ifכִּ֤יH3588Conjunctiona manאִישׁ֙H376Noun - masculine singulargrazes his livestockיַבְעֶר־H1197Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singularin a fieldשָׂדֶ֣הH7704Noun - masculine singularorאוֹ־H176Conjunctionvineyardכֶ֔רֶםH3754Noun - masculine singularand allows themבְּעִירֹהH1165Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularto strayוְשִׁלַּח֙H7971Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerso that they grazeוּבִעֵ֖רH1197Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularin someone else’sאַחֵ֑רH312Adjective - masculine singularfieldבִּשְׂדֵ֣הH7704Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructhe must make restitutionיְשַׁלֵּֽם׃סH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfrom the bestמֵיטַ֥בH4315Noun - masculine singular constructof his own fieldשָׂדֵ֛הוּH7704Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .וּמֵיטַ֥בH4315Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructor vineyardכַּרְמ֖וֹH3754Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 6

Original words

Ifכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctiona fireאֵ֜שׁH784Noun - common singularbreaks outתֵצֵ֨אH3318Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularand spreadsוּמָצְאָ֤הH4672Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singularto thornbushesקֹצִים֙H6975Noun - masculine pluralso that it consumesוְנֶאֱכַ֣לH398Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularstackedגָּדִ֔ישׁH1430Noun - masculine singularorא֥וֹH176Conjunctionstanding grainהַקָּמָ֖הH7054Article | Noun - feminine singularorא֣וֹH176Conjunctionthe whole fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֑הH7704Article | Noun - masculine singularthe one who startedהַמַּבְעִ֖רH1197Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe fireהַבְּעֵרָֽה׃סH1200Article | Noun - feminine singularmust make full restitutionשַׁלֵּ֣םH7999Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute. . .יְשַׁלֵּ֔םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

Ifכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctiona manאִ֨ישׁH376Noun - masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositiongivesיִתֵּן֩H5414Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularhis neighborרֵעֵ֜הוּH7453Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularmoneyכֶּ֤סֶףH3701Noun - masculine singularorאֽוֹ־H176Conjunctiongoodsכֵלִים֙H3627Noun - masculine pluralfor safekeepingלִשְׁמֹ֔רH8104Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructand they are stolenוְגֻנַּ֖בH1589Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfrom the neighbor’sהָאִ֑ישׁH376Article | Noun - masculine singularhouseמִבֵּ֣יתH1004Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructthe thiefהַגַּנָּ֖בH1590Article | Noun - masculine singularifאִם־H518Conjunctioncaughtיִמָּצֵ֥אH4672Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularmust pay backיְשַׁלֵּ֥םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singulardoubleשְׁנָֽיִם׃H8147Number - md
Verse 8

Original words

Ifאִם־H518Conjunctionthe thiefהַגַּנָּ֔בH1590Article | Noun - masculine singularis notלֹ֤אH3808Adverb - Negative particlefoundיִמָּצֵא֙H4672Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularthe ownerבַּֽעַל־H1167Noun - masculine singular constructof the houseהַבַּ֖יִתH1004Article | Noun - masculine singularmust appearוְנִקְרַ֥בH7126Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularbeforeאֶל־H413Prepositionthe judgesהָֽאֱלֹהִ֑יםH430Article | Noun - masculine pluralto determine whetherאִם־H518Conjunction. . .לֹ֥אH3808Adverb - Negative particlehe has takenשָׁלַ֛חH7971Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular. . .יָד֖וֹH3027Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularhis neighbor’sרֵעֵֽהוּ׃H7453Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularpropertyבִּמְלֶ֥אכֶתH4399Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct

BSB notes

  • Or before God; also in verse 9
Verse 9

Original words

Inעַֽל־H5921Prepositionallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructcasesדְּבַר־H1697Noun - masculine singular constructof illegal possessionפֶּ֡שַׁעH6588Noun - masculine singularofעַל־H5921Prepositionan oxשׁ֡וֹרH7794Noun - masculine singular. . .עַל־H5921Prepositiona donkeyחֲ֠מוֹרH2543Noun - masculine singular. . .עַל־H5921Prepositiona sheepשֶׂ֨הH7716Noun - masculine singular. . .עַל־H5921Prepositiona garmentשַׂלְמָ֜הH8008Noun - feminine singular. . .עַל־H5921Prepositionor anyכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructlost itemאֲבֵדָ֗הH9Noun - feminine singularthatאֲשֶׁ֤רH834Pronoun - relativesomeone claimsיֹאמַר֙H559Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .כִּי־H3588ConjunctionThisזֶ֔הH2088Pronoun - masculine singularis mineה֣וּאH1931Pronoun - third person masculine singularboth partiesשְׁנֵיהֶ֑םH8147Number - masculine dual construct | third person masculine plural-אֲשֶׁ֤רH834Pronoun - relativeshall bringיָבֹ֖אH935Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singulartheir casesדְּבַר־H1697Noun - masculine singular constructbeforeעַ֚דH5704Prepositionthe judgesהָֽאֱלֹהִ֔יםH430Article | Noun - masculine pluralThe one whom the judgesאֱלֹהִ֔יםH430Noun - masculine pluralfind guiltyיַרְשִׁיעֻן֙H7561Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nunmust pay backיְשַׁלֵּ֥םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singulardoubleשְׁנַ֖יִםH8147Number - mdto his neighborלְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃סH7453Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Or whom God condemns
Verse 10

Original words

Ifכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctiona manאִ֨ישׁH376Noun - masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositiongivesיִתֵּן֩H5414Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singulara donkeyחֲמ֨וֹרH2543Noun - masculine singularאוֹ־אוֹ־H176Conjunctionan oxשׁ֥וֹרH7794Noun - masculine singular-אוֹ־H176Conjunctiona sheepשֶׂ֛הH7716Noun - masculine singularor anyוְכָל־H3605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructother animalבְּהֵמָ֖הH929Noun - feminine singularto be cared forלִשְׁמֹ֑רH8104Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructby his neighborרֵעֵ֜הוּH7453Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularbut it diesוּמֵ֛תH4191Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularorאוֹ־H176Conjunctionis injuredנִשְׁבַּ֥רH7665Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularorאוֹ־H176Conjunctionstolenנִשְׁבָּ֖הH7617Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularwhile noאֵ֥יןH369Adverbone is watchingרֹאֶֽה׃H7200Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Verse 11

Original words

an oathשְׁבֻעַ֣תH7621Noun - feminine singular constructbefore the LORDיְהוָ֗הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularshall be madeתִּהְיֶה֙H1961Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularbetweenבֵּ֣יןH996Prepositionthe partiesשְׁנֵיהֶ֔םH8147Number - masculine dual construct | third person masculine pluralto determine whetherאִם־H518Conjunctionor notלֹ֥אH3808Adverb - Negative particlethe man has takenשָׁלַ֛חH7971Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular. . .יָד֖וֹH3027Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularhis neighbor’sרֵעֵ֑הוּH7453Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularpropertyבִּמְלֶ֣אכֶתH4399Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructThe ownerבְּעָלָ֖יוH1167Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularmust accept [the oath]וְלָקַ֥חH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularand require noוְלֹ֥אH3808Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particlerestitutionיְשַׁלֵּֽם׃H7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 12

Original words

But ifוְאִם־H518Conjunction[the animal] was actuallyגָּנֹ֥בH1589Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolutestolenיִגָּנֵ֖בH1589Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfrom [the neighbor]מֵעִמּ֑וֹH5973Preposition-m | third person masculine singularhe must make restitutionיְשַׁלֵּ֖םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularto the ownerלִבְעָלָֽיו׃H1167Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 13

Original words

Ifאִם־H518Conjunction[the animal] was torn to piecesטָרֹ֥ףH2963Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute. . .יִטָּרֵ֖ףH2963Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularhe shall bringיְבִאֵ֣הוּH935Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularit as evidenceעֵ֑דH5707Noun - masculine singular constructhe need notלֹ֥אH3808Adverb - Negative particlemake restitutionיְשַׁלֵּֽם׃פH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfor the torn carcassהַטְּרֵפָ֖הH2966Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 14

Original words

Ifוְכִֽי־H3588Conjunctiona manאִ֛ישׁH376Noun - masculine singularborrowsיִשְׁאַ֥לH7592Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular[an animal]מֵעִ֥םH5973Preposition-mfrom his neighborרֵעֵ֖הוּH7453Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularand it is injuredוְנִשְׁבַּ֣רH7665Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularorאוֹ־H176Conjunctiondiesמֵ֑תH4191Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularwhile its ownerבְּעָלָ֥יוH1167Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularis notאֵין־H369Adverbpresentעִמּ֖וֹH5973Preposition | third person masculine singularhe must make full restitutionשַׁלֵּ֥םH7999Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute. . .יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃H7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 15

Original words

Ifאִם־H518Conjunctionthe ownerבְּעָלָ֥יוH1167Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularwas presentעִמּ֖וֹH5973Preposition | third person masculine singularnoלֹ֣אH3808Adverb - Negative particlerestitution is requiredיְשַׁלֵּ֑םH7999Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularIfאִם־H518Conjunction[the animal]ה֔וּאH1931Pronoun - third person masculine singular. . .בָּ֖אH935Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularwas rentedשָׂכִ֣ירH7916Adjective - masculine singularthe fee covers the lossבִּשְׂכָרֽוֹ׃סH7939Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.