1
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
2
If a thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for the one who struck him;
3
but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt.
The thief shall make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for what he stole.
4
If what he stole is found alive in his possession, whether ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.
5
If a man lets his livestock graze in a field or vineyard, and lets them go loose so that they feed in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field or the best of his own vineyard.
6
If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorns, so that stacked grain or standing grain or the whole field is consumed, the one who started the fire shall surely make full restitution.
7
If a man entrusts money or goods to his neighbor, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
8
If the thief is not found, then the owner of the house shall go before God to swear that he has not laid his hand on his neighbor’s property.
9
In every case of dispute over property, whether about an ox, about a donkey, about a sheep, about a garment, or about any lost thing, if one says, ‘This is mine,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay his neighbor double.
10
If a man entrusts to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast, and it dies, or is injured, or is driven away, with no one seeing it,
11
then an oath before the LORD shall decide between the two of them, whether or not he has laid his hand on his neighbor’s property; and the owner shall accept the oath, and the other shall not make restitution.
12
But if it was indeed stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.
13
If the animal was indeed torn by a wild beast, he must bring it as evidence. He need not pay for the animal that was torn.
14
If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not there, he must make full restitution.
15
But if its owner was there, he need not make restitution. If the animal was hired, then the loss is included in the hire.
16
If a man seduces an unbetrothed virgin and lies with her, he must take her as his wife by paying the bride-price.
17
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the silver in full, according to the bride-price of virgins.”
18
“You shall not allow a female sorcerer to live.
19
Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20
Whoever offers sacrifice to any god except to the LORD alone shall be utterly destroyed.”
21
“You shall not oppress or mistreat a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22
You shall not oppress any widow or orphan.
23
If you do oppress them, and they cry out to Me, I will surely hear their cry.
24
Then My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, so that your wives will become widows and your children orphans.
25
If you lend money to any of My people, to the poor among you, you shall not act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.
26
If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you must return it to him before sunset,
27
for that is his only covering, the garment for his skin—what shall he sleep in? And when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate.”
28
“You shall not curse God, and you shall not revile a ruler among your people.
29
You shall not delay to offer the firstfruits of your grain and of your wine. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
30
Likewise you shall do with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days they shall remain with their mother, but on the eighth day you shall give them to Me.
31
You shall be holy people to Me: flesh torn in the field by beasts you shall not eat; you shall throw it to the dogs."
💼⚖️👥 Summary of Exodus 22 – Laws on Restitution, Social Protection, and Holiness
Exodus 22 contains further laws that emphasize social responsibility, justice, protection for the weak, and a holy life before the Lord. These laws apply the principle of love in daily life.
1. Laws of Restitution for Theft and Loss (verses 1–15)
- If someone steals livestock and slaughters or sells it, he must pay back four or five times.
- If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is killed, the killer is not guilty.
- If damage occurs through negligence (such as starting a fire or letting livestock destroy another person’s field), the offender must make restitution.
- The law also covers property entrusted for safekeeping, loss, and borrowing.
2. Moral and Social Laws (verses 16–31)
- A man who seduces an unmarried woman must marry her or pay the bride-price.
- Idolaters, sorcerers, and those who practice sexual relations with animals must be put to death.
- Foreigners, widows, and orphans must not be oppressed. If they cry out to the Lord, the Lord will defend them.
- Loans to the poor must not bear interest; a pledge must be returned before sunset.
- God or the ruler of the people must not be reviled.
- The firstfruits of the harvest and the livestock must be given to the Lord.
- The people of the Lord must live holy and not eat the flesh of an animal that dies of itself.
📖 Main Teaching
- Justice must be accompanied by personal responsibility: whoever harms another person must make fair restitution.
- The Lord teaches that social, economic, and moral relations cannot be separated from faith.
- The poor and the oppressed are deeply cared for by the Lord; to oppress them is to challenge the Lord himself.
- Personal and communal holiness is strongly emphasized—whether in sexuality, worship, or food.
- The Lord calls his people to live differently from the nations, becoming an example of justice and godliness.
✨ Spiritual Meaning
- This law affirms that true faith must be seen in social action.
- Protecting the weak reflects the heart of God, which is full of compassion.
- Not charging interest to the poor shows the principle of kindness and not seeking gain from another’s suffering.
- The Lord is not interested only in worship, but also in how we treat one another.
- Holiness of life (in sexuality, worship, and food) is a response to identity as God’s people.
