Deuteronomy 22 4

Deuteronomy 22:4 kjv

Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

Deuteronomy 22:4 nkjv

"You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.

Deuteronomy 22:4 niv

If you see your fellow Israelite's donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

Deuteronomy 22:4 esv

You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.

Deuteronomy 22:4 nlt

"If you see that your neighbor's donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 4 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:4 commands that when one sees a fellow Israelite’s animal (ox or donkey) collapsed on the road, they must not ignore it or walk away. Instead, they are obligated to actively help their "brother" to lift the animal back up. This law promotes active compassion, mutual aid within the community, and care even for an animal's welfare and its owner's property. It teaches against apathy and encourages practical, responsible assistance in times of immediate need.

Deuteronomy 22 4 Context

Deuteronomy 22:4 is part of a series of laws that demonstrate the practical outworking of God's covenant with Israel in their daily lives. Located within the larger "Deuteronomic Code" (Deut 12-26), this chapter addresses diverse regulations concerning property, integrity, and social responsibilities. Specifically, verses 1-4 deal with responsibilities concerning lost property and aiding animals in distress, fostering community integrity and mutual support. This particular verse expands upon a similar injunction found in Exodus 23:5, by adding the strong prohibition against "hiding yourself," thereby intensifying the demand for active involvement and condemning deliberate negligence or indifference. It reveals that the law extends beyond formal judicial pronouncements to personal ethics and communal care, even for valuable livestock.

Deuteronomy 22 4 Word analysis

• You shall not see... and hide yourself from them: (לֹא־תִרְאֶה... וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֣)

  • לֹא־תִרְאֶה (lo-tir'eh): "You shall not see." More than mere physical sight; implies not noticing, or intentionally overlooking. It's about neglecting one's responsibility to observe.
  • וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֣ (vehit'allamta): "and hide yourself" or "and act as if you did not see." This is a key phrase. It comes from the root עָלַם ('alam), meaning "to conceal" or "to hide." The Hithpael form signifies active concealment or willful indifference. It speaks to a conscious decision to avoid responsibility and feign ignorance. This makes the sin one of deliberate omission, a direct condemnation of apathy.

• your brother's: (אָחִ֖יךָ - 'achikha)

  • Refers primarily to a fellow Israelite, a member of the covenant community. However, the spirit of the law, as seen in other scriptures, extends this compassion beyond strict ethnic lines to include anyone in need, even enemies (Ex 23:5).

• donkey or his ox: (חֲמֹורוֹ֙... אוֹ־שֹׁוֹר֔וֹ - chamoro... o-shoro)

  • חֲמוֹר (chamor): donkey; שׁוֹר (shor): ox. These were the primary and most valuable working animals in ancient Israel. Their collapse on the road represents a significant financial loss and hardship for the owner. The law implicitly protects property and prevents undue economic strain.

• fallen down by the way: (נֹפֵ֥ל בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ - nofel baderekh)

  • נֹפֵל (nofel): "fallen." Implies immediate distress, often due to exhaustion, injury, or an overwhelming burden. It signifies a visible and urgent need for intervention.
  • בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ (baderekh): "by the way," meaning on the public road or path. The situation is visible, not private, demanding public consideration and aid. It’s an obligation in a public sphere.

• you shall surely help him lift them up again: (הָקֵם תָּקִ֣ים עִמּֽוֹ׃ - hakem takim immo)

  • הָקֵם תָּקִים (hakem takim): This is an emphatic infinitive absolute construction (Hiphil conjugation). It means "you must surely cause to stand up," "you are indeed to raise them up." This doubling of the verb serves to emphasize the certainty, urgency, and unconditional nature of the command. It leaves no room for hesitation or excuses.
  • עִמּוֹ (immo): "with him," meaning "with its owner." This indicates the help is collaborative. It encourages communal effort and cooperation, not just individual heroism.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "You shall not see... and hide yourself from them": This phrase highlights that the sin is not mere oversight but a deliberate act of turning away or feigning ignorance. It condemns indifference and active avoidance of responsibility, stressing the moral obligation to respond to visible distress.
  • "surely help him lift them up again": This strongly worded command emphasizes active and immediate intervention. It's not a suggestion but a definite, mandatory action. The repetitive verb structure (infinitive absolute) underscores the urgency and certainty of the divine expectation, implying that to do otherwise is a clear transgression.

Deuteronomy 22 4 Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the value God places not only on human life and property but also on the well-being of creation under human stewardship. It reflects a core biblical principle that righteousness extends to compassionate treatment of animals (Pro 12:10). The law here is not solely about protecting property from loss; it's also about preventing an animal's prolonged suffering due to human inaction. Furthermore, by framing the command around "your brother," it reinforces the deep interconnectedness and mutual obligations within God's covenant community. The law, therefore, transcends mere legalism; it aims to cultivate a heart of active empathy, prefiguring the New Testament call to love, which is the fulfillment of all law (Rom 13:10). It demonstrates that indifference to suffering, even that of an animal, goes against the character God desired for His people.

Deuteronomy 22 4 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:4 is more than just an ancient animal welfare law; it is a profound ethical statement on communal responsibility and compassionate engagement. By expressly forbidding one to "hide oneself" (a stronger phrase than in Exodus 23:5), the verse elevates inaction to an act of transgression. It addresses the human tendency towards apathy or convenience-driven neglect when confronted with someone else's trouble. The law teaches that the welfare of community members, and even their property and animals, is a shared concern, demanding practical, immediate intervention. It establishes that moral righteousness is not just about avoiding evil, but actively pursuing good and alleviating suffering. This divine expectation extends to the tangible demonstration of love for neighbor, reminding the Israelite that the covenant impacts every aspect of daily life, fostering a society of mutual care rather than selfish isolation. Its principles foreshadow New Testament teachings on loving one's neighbor and bearing one another's burdens.

• Example 1 (practical): Seeing a neighbor's grocery bag ripped and spilling, one should help gather items, rather than just walking past.
• Example 2 (practical): If a child is struggling to carry a heavy load, an adult should offer to assist them, rather than leaving them to strain alone.