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Scripture Mapping

Exodus 22

World English Bible

WEB

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. 2If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him. 3If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double. 5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting 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. 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. 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. 8If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods. 9For every matter of trespass, whether it is 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. 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; 11the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner. 13If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn. 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. 15If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease. 16“If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. 17If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. 18“You shall not allow a sorceress to live. 19“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death. 20“He who sacrifices to any god, except to Yahweh only, shall be utterly destroyed. 21“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 22“You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child. 23If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry; 24and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 25“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest. 26If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down, 27for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious. 28“You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people. 29“You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. “You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. 30You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me. 31“You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Exodus Chapter 22 continues the legal and moral instructions given to the Israelites, emphasizing justice and community responsibility. The chapter begins with laws regarding theft, stating that if a thief is caught breaking in and is struck and dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed, but if it happens during daylight, the defender is guilty (Exodus 22:2-3). This highlights the importance of context in matters of self-defense and property rights, reflecting God's concern for justice in the community. The chapter also outlines restitution for stolen property, requiring the thief to repay multiple times the value of what was taken, reinforcing the principle of accountability (#justice, #restitution).

The chapter further addresses various social issues, including the treatment of servants, the protection of the vulnerable, and the importance of honoring commitments. For instance, it commands that if someone borrows an animal and it is injured or dies, the borrower must compensate the owner (Exodus 22:14). Additionally, it emphasizes the need to care for widows and orphans, warning that God will take their cause seriously if they are mistreated (Exodus 22:22-24). This reflects God's heart for the marginalized and His desire for His people to embody compassion and integrity in their dealings with one another. Overall, Exodus 22 serves as a reminder of the ethical standards that God expects from His people, urging them to live in a way that reflects His holiness and justice in their community.

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Referenced by

  1. Leviticus 6:2v1Leviticus 6:2 discusses the sin of deceit and falsehood in matters of property, which is also addressed in Exodus 22:1-4, where restitution laws for theft and deceit are outlined.
  2. Ruth 2:10v21Ruth 2:10 shows Ruth's gratitude for Boaz's kindness, reflecting the command in Exodus 22:21 to not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, as the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt.
  3. 2 Kings 4:1v25In 2 Kings 4:1, the widow cries out to Elisha about her creditor. Exodus 22:25-27 provides laws about lending and the treatment of debtors, highlighting God's concern for the poor and vulnerable.
  4. Nehemiah 5:1v25Nehemiah 5:1 describes the outcry of the people against their Jewish brothers due to financial oppression. Exodus 22:25 provides the law against charging interest to fellow Israelites, highlighting the violation of this commandment in Nehemiah's time.
  5. Psalms 15:5v25Psalm 15:5 advises against charging interest on loans, reflecting the law in Exodus 22:25 which prohibits usury among the Israelites.
  6. Psalms 82:1v28Psalm 82:1 speaks of God standing in the congregation of the mighty, judging among the gods. Exodus 22:28 refers to not reviling the gods, which can be understood as judges or rulers, indicating a divine oversight over human authorities.
  7. Proverbs 22:22-23v21Proverbs 22:22-23 warns against robbing the poor, which is consistent with the laws in Exodus 22:21-24 that protect the vulnerable and warn of God's judgment against oppressors.

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