Deuteronomy 22:2 kjv
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
Deuteronomy 22:2 nkjv
And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him.
Deuteronomy 22:2 niv
If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back.
Deuteronomy 22:2 esv
And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him.
Deuteronomy 22:2 nlt
If its owner does not live nearby or you don't know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it.
Deuteronomy 22 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 23:4 | "If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him." | Care for an enemy's lost property. |
| Exod 23:5 | "If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping him, you must help him with it." | Help those in need, even enemies. |
| Deut 22:1 | "You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and hide yourself from them; you shall surely bring them back to your brother." | Preceding verse, identical theme of returning lost animals. |
| Lev 6:2-5 | Laws concerning lying about found property and restitution for fraud. | Restitution for ill-gotten gains. |
| Prov 27:8 | "Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home." | Illustrates the state of being lost. |
| Matt 7:12 | "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them..." | Golden Rule, principle of reciprocity. |
| Luke 10:25-37 | Parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing practical neighborly love. | Care for stranger, compassion in action. |
| Rom 13:8-10 | Love for one another fulfills the law. | Love as the foundation of commands. |
| Php 2:4 | "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Selfless concern for others. |
| 1 Cor 10:24 | "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor." | Seeking another's benefit. |
| Gen 31:39 | Jacob's pledge to Laban regarding lost animals: he would bear the loss. | Personal responsibility for property under care. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Mandate for justice and kindness. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another." | Ethical behavior towards neighbors. |
| Ps 119:176 | "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments." | Humility in acknowledging spiritual straying. |
| Ezek 33:15 | "if a wicked person restores a pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life..." | Returning stolen/lost goods as part of repentance. |
| Luke 15:3-7 | Parable of the Lost Sheep (God seeking the lost). | Divine active seeking of what is lost. |
| Luke 15:8-10 | Parable of the Lost Coin (God's delight in finding the lost). | Diligent search for valuable things. |
| Jas 2:14-17 | Faith without works is dead, emphasizing practical expressions of faith. | Faith demonstrated through helpful actions. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men..." | Doing work diligently as unto God. |
| Eph 4:28 | "...that he may have something to share with anyone in need." | Honest labor and sharing resources. |
| Isa 58:6-7 | "Is not this the fast that I choose: ... to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house...?" | Care for the vulnerable and needy. |
| Exod 22:7-8 | Laws regarding deposit, trust, and responsibility for property. | Trustworthiness in guarding property. |
| Ezra 9:14 | Questioning how to respond after sinning against divine commandments. | Reaffirming adherence to God's laws. |
Deuteronomy 22 verses
Deuteronomy 22 2 Meaning
Deuteronomy 22:2 prescribes the proper conduct when one finds lost property belonging to a fellow Israelite, especially when the owner is not immediately present or identifiable. The verse mandates that the finder must bring the item into their own home for safekeeping. This temporary custody is to be maintained until the rightful owner actively seeks out their lost possession. Upon the owner's request, the finder is commanded to restore the item completely. This law establishes a principle of communal responsibility, ensuring the protection of property rights and promoting ethical dealings among the people of God, moving beyond a "finders keepers" mentality.
Deuteronomy 22 2 Context
Deuteronomy 22 is part of Moses' address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This chapter, within the broader Deuteronomic Code (chapters 12-26), details a collection of specific social and ethical laws designed to govern the lives of the Israelites as a covenant community. These regulations aim to promote a just and holy society distinct from the surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing the principles of their covenant with Yahweh.
Verses 1-4 of chapter 22 specifically deal with neighborly responsibility concerning lost or straying animals and garments. Deuteronomy 22:2 expands upon the previous verse (Deut 22:1), which commanded the return of a lost ox or sheep. Here, it addresses the scenario where the owner is not immediately apparent or known, encompassing not just livestock but also other lost items ("anything lost" from Deut 22:3, though not explicitly in 22:2, the broader context of lost property applies). Historically, these laws instilled a sense of communal solidarity and ethical conduct, counteracting common practices of opportunism in ancient societies. The directive emphasizes diligent care for others' property as a reflection of "love your neighbor as yourself," a foundational principle within the Mosaic Law.
Deuteronomy 22 2 Word analysis
- And if: This conjunction introduces a conditional clause, indicating a specific situation for which the following command applies. It acknowledges a common occurrence in daily life.
- the owner thereof: Refers to the legitimate possessor of the lost item. The law immediately establishes that there is a rightful claimant, underscoring property rights.
- be not nigh unto thee: Hebrew:
einenu karov(אֵינֶנּוּ קָרוֹב).Karovmeans "near" or "close." This signifies that the owner is not physically present at the scene of discovery, nor can they be easily located in the immediate vicinity. - or if thou know him not: Hebrew:
lo yedachto(לֹא יְדַעְתּוֹ).Yadachtomeans "you know him." This extends the scope to situations where the finder has no personal acquaintance or readily available means to identify the owner, beyond mere physical absence. It addresses true "lost and unknown" scenarios. - then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house: Hebrew:
heve'to el beitecha(הֲבֵאתוֹ אֶל בֵּיתֶךָ).Heve'tomeans "you shall bring it." This is a direct command. "Thine own house" serves as a safe and temporary repository for the lost item. It transforms the finder into a responsible custodian, preventing the item from being further lost, stolen, or damaged. - and it shall be with thee: Hebrew:
v'haya imach(וְהָיָה עִמָּךְ). "And it shall be with you." Reinforces the concept of ongoing personal custody and stewardship of the item. It is to be held securely, not treated as one's own. - until thine owner seek after it: Hebrew:
ad derosh achiv oto(עַד דְּרֹשׁ אָחִיו אֹתוֹ).Deroshmeans "to seek, to inquire." "Thine owner" is expressed as "his brother," (achiv), emphasizing the communal and familial bond within Israel. This sets a condition and a duration for the safekeeping – it is to be held until the diligent owner actively searches for their possession. - and thou shalt restore it to him again: Hebrew:
v'hashe'ivoto lo(וַהֲשִׁבֹתוֹ לוֹ).Hashe'ivotomeans "and you shall restore it" or "give it back." This is the culminating command. The ultimate goal of the entire procedure is the complete return of the property to its rightful owner, underscoring justice, honesty, and respect for others' possessions.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And if the owner thereof be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not": This initial clause establishes the two primary conditions under which the law applies: when the owner is absent or cannot be identified. This covers the most common scenarios of finding lost items, necessitating an act of responsible stewardship.
- "then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thine owner seek after it": This segment outlines the mandated action and the duration of the temporary custody. The finder is obligated to take the item into their personal care for safekeeping. The responsibility endures until the owner actively undertakes efforts to recover their property, highlighting a joint expectation of diligence (from finder and owner).
- "and thou shalt restore it to him again": This final command articulates the core ethical imperative of the law: the complete restitution of the lost item. It emphasizes that the finder gains no permanent claim over the property but acts as a temporary custodian to facilitate its return, upholding the integrity of ownership and promoting trust within the community.
Deuteronomy 22 2 Bonus section
- The absence of any prescribed reward or "finder's fee" for the finder underscores that this act is a moral duty, part of what it means to live in covenant relationship with God and neighbor. It's an act of
chesed(steadfast love/kindness). - The phrasing "his brother" for the owner (even if unknown to the finder) subtly reinforces the strong communal bond among Israelites and the expectation of mutual responsibility as members of God's covenant people.
- This law, though seemingly mundane, reflects the pervasive nature of God's law, which addresses all aspects of life, ensuring justice and compassion are embedded even in everyday transactions and occurrences.
- It serves as a counter-cultural command against the practices of surrounding nations where taking lost property was common and permissible. Israel was to live by a higher ethical standard.
Deuteronomy 22 2 Commentary
Deuteronomy 22:2 is a practical extension of the principle of neighborly love within the Mosaic Law. It elevates beyond a simple "finders keepers" ethos to a command of active compassion and responsibility. The verse transforms a chance discovery into a moral obligation, instructing the finder not to passively ignore a lost item but to proactively safeguard it. By mandating that the item be brought "unto thine own house," it signifies the commitment of personal space and effort, implying temporary stewardship rather than claim. This interim guardianship continues only until the diligent owner "seek after it," underscoring that both parties share responsibility for the item's return. The explicit command to "restore it to him again" champions the right to private property and upholds justice. Fundamentally, this law cultivates an honorable community where individuals demonstrate integrity and care for the possessions of their fellow members, mirroring God's own character of order and righteousness.
Practical usage examples:
- Digital Data: If a digital device (e.g., a phone or laptop) is found, the principle applies: safeguard it, and diligently try to find the owner via contact info if available, and then return it without accessing personal data.
- Lost Keys/Documents: Rather than discarding or keeping, one should try to find contact information or hand it over to appropriate lost-and-found services with the intent of restitution.