Deuteronomy 22 1

Deuteronomy 22:1 kjv

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.

Deuteronomy 22:1 nkjv

"You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother.

Deuteronomy 22:1 niv

If you see your fellow Israelite's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner.

Deuteronomy 22:1 esv

"You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother.

Deuteronomy 22:1 nlt

"If you see your neighbor's ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don't ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:1 commands a covenant Israelite to actively engage when encountering a fellow Israelite's lost livestock, specifically an ox or sheep. It strictly forbids ignoring such a situation and unequivocally mandates that the lost animal be returned to its owner. This law extends the principle of neighbourly love into practical, everyday community responsibility and the diligent care for another's livelihood.

Deuteronomy 22 1 Context

Deuteronomy 22 begins a section of various laws governing civil, ethical, and moral aspects of daily life in the covenant community, reflecting the practical application of the covenant between God and Israel. It transitions from broader statutes (like capital punishment in Deut 21) to specific interpersonal and social regulations. This particular verse (and the following ones about lost property) sets the tone for active, rather than passive, moral conduct.

The historical and cultural context is that of an agrarian society where livestock (oxen for plowing/transport and sheep for wool, meat, milk, and sacrifice) represented significant, often generational, wealth and survival. Losing an animal could be catastrophic for a family's livelihood. The command therefore addresses a very common and economically impactful scenario. The law aims to prevent negligence, theft, or dishonest gain within the community. It also implicitly highlights the fragility of communal ties when members act with indifference or self-interest, pushing against tendencies common in the wider ancient Near East where communal obligation was not as strong or was limited to very narrow kinship groups. The law establishes that belonging to God's people meant sharing a mutual responsibility for each other's welfare, extending even to property.

Deuteronomy 22 1 Word analysis

• You shall not see (לֹא-תִרְאֶה - lo-tireh):

  • Literally "you shall not behold."
  • This isn't merely about physical sight but implies observation or awareness. It prohibits ignoring or turning a blind eye to a situation of need or loss.
  • The negative imperative indicates a direct command against a particular inaction.

• your brother's (אָחִיךָ - achikha):

  • Refers to a fellow Israelite, not strictly a literal sibling.
  • Signifies a member of the covenant community, united under God.
  • Emphasizes the mutual responsibility and bond among God's people.

• ox or his sheep (שׁוֹר...אוֹ כִשְׂבּוֹ - shor...o khisbo):

  • These are primary domesticated animals, essential for the Israelite economy.
  • "Ox" implies working animals and larger livestock, representing significant capital.
  • "Sheep" represents another vital asset, providing food, clothing, and sacrificial animals.
  • The mention of these two specifically covers the most economically vital animals.

• going astray (נִדָּחִים - niddachim):

  • From the root נדח (nadach), meaning "to drive away, thrust out, scatter, be lost."
  • Indicates that the animals are not deliberately hidden but have wandered off or become separated from their owner, implying they are lost and vulnerable.
  • It paints a picture of confusion and disorientation for the animal, highlighting the owner's loss.

• and ignore them (וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ מֵהֶם - vehit'allamta mehem):

  • From the root עלם ('alam), meaning "to hide, conceal oneself."
  • The Hithpael stem implies making oneself hidden, pretending not to see, or feigning ignorance. It denotes a deliberate act of avoiding responsibility or suppressing awareness.
  • It goes beyond simple neglect to active avoidance of one's duty.

• you shall take them back (הָשֵׁב תְּשִׁיבֵם - hashev teshivem):

  • An emphatic construction in Hebrew, using the infinitive absolute hashev (return) before the imperfect teshivem (you shall return them).
  • This construction indicates a definite, sure, and undeniable command: "you shall surely return them," "you must indeed bring them back."
  • It highlights the obligatory and active nature of the duty.

• to your brother (לְאָחִיךָ - le'akhikha):

  • Reiterates the recipient of the action and the beneficiary of the law: the fellow covenant member.
  • Reinforces the communal bond and mutual obligation.

Deuteronomy 22 1 Bonus section

The Law of Lost Property, as encapsulated here and elaborated in Exodus 23:4-5 and the subsequent verses in Deuteronomy 22, demonstrates a progressive understanding of moral obligation in ancient Israel. While Exodus broadens the scope to include an enemy's lost animal, Deuteronomy's emphasis here on the "brother" first grounds the ethical command within the immediate covenant community, preparing for further extensions. The very specific nature of "ox or sheep" speaks to the Israelites' primarily agricultural way of life, ensuring that ethical principles were directly applicable to their most vital economic realities. This highlights God's concern for even seemingly minor everyday details as avenues for demonstrating faithfulness to the covenant and love for others. It reveals that spiritual obedience is inherently tied to concrete actions of compassion and responsibility towards others' physical well-being and property. This ethical stance was radical in the ancient world, often characterized by self-preservation and disregard for others' misfortune.

Deuteronomy 22 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:1 is not just an animal welfare law; it is a foundational ethical teaching concerning active neighbourly love and community responsibility within the covenant. It prohibits indifference ("not seeing," "ignoring") and demands concrete, restorative action ("take them back"). The verse implies that the covenant community functions best when its members are proactive in safeguarding each other's well-being and possessions. It instills a sense of shared stewardship and underscores that love for God manifests in practical care for fellow human beings. This goes beyond avoiding doing harm; it calls for actively doing good and mitigating another's loss, reflecting God's own diligent care for His people.

Practical examples:

• A neighbor's lost pet.
• Someone dropping a wallet without noticing.
• Observing a vulnerability that you can address to prevent loss or harm.