The Book of
Exodus 22
31 verses≈ 6 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1–6Slaves in EgyptOppression and a deliverer
- 7–13The plaguesThe LORD against Pharaoh
- 14–18Through the seaRescued and led
- 19–24At SinaiThe covenant and the lawChapter 22
- 25–31A place to dwellThe tabernacle planned
- 32–40Broken and renewedThe calf, mercy, the glory
Property Laws
Theft
Five oxen for an ox
“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.
Break-in
A thief struck down breaking in
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.
After sunrise: guilt for his blood
But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed.
Theft
Full repayment, or be sold
A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.
Found alive: pay back double
If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.
Damage
Livestock straying into a field
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.
A fire that spreads
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.
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What a thief repaid
Whiteboard
Israel’s law did not lock a thief away; it made him put things right. If the stolen animal was found alive, “he must pay back double.” If he had slaughtered or sold it, “he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.” If he had nothing, “he himself shall be sold for his theft” and work off the debt. In every case the one he robbed was made whole, and theft never paid.
Safekeeping
Goods stolen from a neighbor’s house
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.
Court
No thief found: before the judges
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.
Property two men both claim
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.
Animals in care
An animal lost in a neighbor’s care
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, 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.
Stolen from the keeper
But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.
Torn to pieces: bring the evidence
If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.
Borrowed or hired
A borrowed animal
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.
Owner present, or rented
If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.
Reflect
What is not mine
These laws are about ordinary trust: a neighbor’s goods kept in your house, a borrowed ox, an animal left in your care. God cared who bore the loss, and He was witness even when “no one is watching.” What do you hold that belongs to someone else: a loan, a tool, a secret, time you are paid for? Write it down, and write how you will treat it as God sees it.
Laws of Social Responsibility
The law
Marriage, purity and worship
Marriage
A man who seduces a virgin
If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.
Worship
A sorceress
You must not allow a sorceress to live.
Purity
Lying with an animal
Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.
Worship
Sacrifice to another god
If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.
You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 22:21
And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
Exodus 22:27
Pray
He hears
God says of the widow and the orphan, “I will surely hear their cry,” and of the poor man without his cloak, “I will hear, for I am compassionate.” Pray for the widows, the fatherless, the poor and the strangers you know by name. Ask God to make you part of His answer to their cry this week.
You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons. You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.
0:13
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.
Question
Quick question
Israel’s law made a thief put things right with the one he robbed.
A thief stole an ox and sold it. What did he have to repay?
You’ve experienced
Exodus 22
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A verse to carry with you
And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
Exodus 22:27
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