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.

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

3 But 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.

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

5 If 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.

6 If 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.

7 If 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.

8 If 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.

9 In 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.

10 If 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,

11 an 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.

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

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

14 If 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.

15 If 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

If כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction a man אִישׁ֙ H376 Noun - masculine singular steals יִגְנֹֽב־ H1589 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular an ox שׁ֣וֹר H7794 Noun - masculine singular or אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction a sheep שֶׂ֔ה H7716 Noun - masculine singular and slaughters וּטְבָח֖וֹ H2873 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular or א֣וֹ H176 Conjunction sells it מְכָר֑וֹ H4376 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular he must repay יְשַׁלֵּם֙ H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular five חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה H2568 Number - masculine singular oxen בָקָ֗ר H1241 Noun - masculine singular for תַּ֣חַת H8478 Preposition . . . תַּ֥חַת H8478 Preposition an ox הַשּׁ֔וֹר H7794 Article | Noun - masculine singular and four וְאַרְבַּע־ H702 Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular sheep הַשֶּֽׂה׃ H7716 Article | Noun - masculine singular for a sheep צֹ֖אן H6629 Noun - common singular

BSB notes

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

Original words

If אִם־ H518 Conjunction a thief הַגַּנָּ֖ב H1590 Article | Noun - masculine singular is caught יִמָּצֵ֥א H4672 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular breaking in בַּמַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת H4290 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular and is beaten וְהֻכָּ֣ה H5221 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular to death וָמֵ֑ת H4191 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular no one אֵ֥ין H369 Adverb vvv ל֖וֹ Preposition | third person masculine singular shall be guilty of bloodshed דָּמִֽים׃ H1818 Noun - masculine plural
Verse 3

Original words

But if אִם־ H518 Conjunction it happens after sunrise זָרְחָ֥ה H2224 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular . . . הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ H8121 Article | Noun - common singular . . . עָלָ֖יו H5921 Preposition | third person masculine singular there is guilt for his bloodshed דָּמִ֣ים H1818 Noun - masculine plural . . . ל֑וֹ Preposition | third person masculine singular A thief must make full restitution שַׁלֵּ֣ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute . . . יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular if אִם־ H518 Conjunction he has nothing אֵ֣ין H369 Adverb he himself shall be sold וְנִמְכַּ֖ר H4376 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular for his theft בִּגְנֵבָתֽוֹ׃ H1591 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 4

Original words

If what was stolen אִֽם־ H518 Conjunction . . . הַגְּנֵבָ֗ה H1591 Article | Noun - feminine singular is actually found הִמָּצֵא֩ H4672 Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute . . . תִמָּצֵ֨א H4672 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular alive חַיִּ֑ים H2416 Adjective - masculine plural in his possession בְיָד֜וֹ H3027 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular whether ox מִשּׁ֧וֹר H7794 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular or עַד־ H5704 Preposition donkey חֲמ֛וֹר H2543 Noun - masculine singular or עַד־ H5704 Preposition sheep שֶׂ֖ה H7716 Noun - masculine singular he must pay back יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ס H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular double שְׁנַ֖יִם H8147 Number - md
Verse 5

Original words

If כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction a man אִישׁ֙ H376 Noun - masculine singular grazes his livestock יַבְעֶר־ H1197 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular in a field שָׂדֶ֣ה H7704 Noun - masculine singular or אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction vineyard כֶ֔רֶם H3754 Noun - masculine singular and allows them בְּעִירֹה H1165 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular to stray וְשִׁלַּח֙ H7971 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker so that they graze וּבִעֵ֖ר H1197 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular in someone else’s אַחֵ֑ר H312 Adjective - masculine singular field בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה H7704 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct he must make restitution יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ס H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular from the best מֵיטַ֥ב H4315 Noun - masculine singular construct of his own field שָׂדֵ֛הוּ H7704 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular . . . וּמֵיטַ֥ב H4315 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct or vineyard כַּרְמ֖וֹ H3754 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 6

Original words

If כִּֽי־ H3588 Conjunction a fire אֵ֜שׁ H784 Noun - common singular breaks out תֵצֵ֨א H3318 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular and spreads וּמָצְאָ֤ה H4672 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular to thornbushes קֹצִים֙ H6975 Noun - masculine plural so that it consumes וְנֶאֱכַ֣ל H398 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular stacked גָּדִ֔ישׁ H1430 Noun - masculine singular or א֥וֹ H176 Conjunction standing grain הַקָּמָ֖ה H7054 Article | Noun - feminine singular or א֣וֹ H176 Conjunction the whole field הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה H7704 Article | Noun - masculine singular the one who started הַמַּבְעִ֖ר H1197 Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the fire הַבְּעֵרָֽה׃ס H1200 Article | Noun - feminine singular must make full restitution שַׁלֵּ֣ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute . . . יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

If כִּֽי־ H3588 Conjunction a man אִ֨ישׁ H376 Noun - masculine singular . . . אֶל־ H413 Preposition gives יִתֵּן֩ H5414 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular his neighbor רֵעֵ֜הוּ H7453 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular money כֶּ֤סֶף H3701 Noun - masculine singular or אֽוֹ־ H176 Conjunction goods כֵלִים֙ H3627 Noun - masculine plural for safekeeping לִשְׁמֹ֔ר H8104 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct and they are stolen וְגֻנַּ֖ב H1589 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular from the neighbor’s הָאִ֑ישׁ H376 Article | Noun - masculine singular house מִבֵּ֣ית H1004 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct the thief הַגַּנָּ֖ב H1590 Article | Noun - masculine singular if אִם־ H518 Conjunction caught יִמָּצֵ֥א H4672 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular must pay back יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular double שְׁנָֽיִם׃ H8147 Number - md
Verse 8

Original words

If אִם־ H518 Conjunction the thief הַגַּנָּ֔ב H1590 Article | Noun - masculine singular is not לֹ֤א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle found יִמָּצֵא֙ H4672 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular the owner בַּֽעַל־ H1167 Noun - masculine singular construct of the house הַבַּ֖יִת H1004 Article | Noun - masculine singular must appear וְנִקְרַ֥ב H7126 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular before אֶל־ H413 Preposition the judges הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים H430 Article | Noun - masculine plural to determine whether אִם־ H518 Conjunction . . . לֹ֥א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle he has taken שָׁלַ֛ח H7971 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular . . . יָד֖וֹ H3027 Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular his neighbor’s רֵעֵֽהוּ׃ H7453 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular property בִּמְלֶ֥אכֶת H4399 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct

BSB notes

  • Or before God; also in verse 9
Verse 9

Original words

In עַֽל־ H5921 Preposition all כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct cases דְּבַר־ H1697 Noun - masculine singular construct of illegal possession פֶּ֡שַׁע H6588 Noun - masculine singular of עַל־ H5921 Preposition an ox שׁ֡וֹר H7794 Noun - masculine singular . . . עַל־ H5921 Preposition a donkey חֲ֠מוֹר H2543 Noun - masculine singular . . . עַל־ H5921 Preposition a sheep שֶׂ֨ה H7716 Noun - masculine singular . . . עַל־ H5921 Preposition a garment שַׂלְמָ֜ה H8008 Noun - feminine singular . . . עַל־ H5921 Preposition or any כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct lost item אֲבֵדָ֗ה H9 Noun - feminine singular that אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834 Pronoun - relative someone claims יֹאמַר֙ H559 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular . . . כִּי־ H3588 Conjunction This זֶ֔ה H2088 Pronoun - masculine singular is mine ה֣וּא H1931 Pronoun - third person masculine singular both parties שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם H8147 Number - masculine dual construct | third person masculine plural - אֲשֶׁ֤ר H834 Pronoun - relative shall bring יָבֹ֖א H935 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular their cases דְּבַר־ H1697 Noun - masculine singular construct before עַ֚ד H5704 Preposition the judges הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים H430 Article | Noun - masculine plural The one whom the judges אֱלֹהִ֔ים H430 Noun - masculine plural find guilty יַרְשִׁיעֻן֙ H7561 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun must pay back יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular double שְׁנַ֖יִם H8147 Number - md to his neighbor לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ס H7453 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Or whom God condemns
Verse 10

Original words

If כִּֽי־ H3588 Conjunction a man אִ֨ישׁ H376 Noun - masculine singular . . . אֶל־ H413 Preposition gives יִתֵּן֩ H5414 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular a donkey חֲמ֨וֹר H2543 Noun - masculine singular אוֹ־ אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction an ox שׁ֥וֹר H7794 Noun - masculine singular - אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction a sheep שֶׂ֛ה H7716 Noun - masculine singular or any וְכָל־ H3605 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct other animal בְּהֵמָ֖ה H929 Noun - feminine singular to be cared for לִשְׁמֹ֑ר H8104 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct by his neighbor רֵעֵ֜הוּ H7453 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular but it dies וּמֵ֛ת H4191 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular or אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction is injured נִשְׁבַּ֥ר H7665 Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular or אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction stolen נִשְׁבָּ֖ה H7617 Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular while no אֵ֥ין H369 Adverb one is watching רֹאֶֽה׃ H7200 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Verse 11

Original words

an oath שְׁבֻעַ֣ת H7621 Noun - feminine singular construct before the LORD יְהוָ֗ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular shall be made תִּהְיֶה֙ H1961 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular between בֵּ֣ין H996 Preposition the parties שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם H8147 Number - masculine dual construct | third person masculine plural to determine whether אִם־ H518 Conjunction or not לֹ֥א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle the man has taken שָׁלַ֛ח H7971 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular . . . יָד֖וֹ H3027 Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular his neighbor’s רֵעֵ֑הוּ H7453 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular property בִּמְלֶ֣אכֶת H4399 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct The owner בְּעָלָ֖יו H1167 Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular must accept [the oath] וְלָקַ֥ח H3947 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular and require no וְלֹ֥א H3808 Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle restitution יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 12

Original words

But if וְאִם־ H518 Conjunction [the animal] was actually גָּנֹ֥ב H1589 Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute stolen יִגָּנֵ֖ב H1589 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular from [the neighbor] מֵעִמּ֑וֹ H5973 Preposition-m | third person masculine singular he must make restitution יְשַׁלֵּ֖ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular to the owner לִבְעָלָֽיו׃ H1167 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 13

Original words

If אִם־ H518 Conjunction [the animal] was torn to pieces טָרֹ֥ף H2963 Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute . . . יִטָּרֵ֖ף H2963 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular he shall bring יְבִאֵ֣הוּ H935 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular it as evidence עֵ֑ד H5707 Noun - masculine singular construct he need not לֹ֥א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle make restitution יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃פ H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular for the torn carcass הַטְּרֵפָ֖ה H2966 Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 14

Original words

If וְכִֽי־ H3588 Conjunction a man אִ֛ישׁ H376 Noun - masculine singular borrows יִשְׁאַ֥ל H7592 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular [an animal] מֵעִ֥ם H5973 Preposition-m from his neighbor רֵעֵ֖הוּ H7453 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular and it is injured וְנִשְׁבַּ֣ר H7665 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular or אוֹ־ H176 Conjunction dies מֵ֑ת H4191 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular while its owner בְּעָלָ֥יו H1167 Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular is not אֵין־ H369 Adverb present עִמּ֖וֹ H5973 Preposition | third person masculine singular he must make full restitution שַׁלֵּ֥ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute . . . יְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 15

Original words

If אִם־ H518 Conjunction the owner בְּעָלָ֥יו H1167 Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular was present עִמּ֖וֹ H5973 Preposition | third person masculine singular no לֹ֣א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle restitution is required יְשַׁלֵּ֑ם H7999 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular If אִם־ H518 Conjunction [the animal] ה֔וּא H1931 Pronoun - third person masculine singular . . . בָּ֖א H935 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular was rented שָׂכִ֣יר H7916 Adjective - masculine singular the fee covers the loss בִּשְׂכָרֽוֹ׃ס H7939 Preposition-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.