Exodus 22 10

Exodus 22:10 kjv

If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

Exodus 22:10 nkjv

If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it,

Exodus 22:10 niv

"If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking,

Exodus 22:10 esv

"If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it,

Exodus 22:10 nlt

"Now suppose someone leaves a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal with a neighbor for safekeeping, but it dies or is injured or is taken away, and no one sees what happened.

Exodus 22 verses

Exodus 22 10 Meaning

Exodus 22:10 establishes a specific legal precedent regarding the theft of entrusted property. It details that when an individual, referred to as the "bailee," takes possession of money or other valuable articles from a "bailor" (the owner) for safekeeping, and these items are subsequently stolen from the bailee's residence, the primary liability falls upon the thief if apprehended. In such a scenario, the identified thief is mandated to restore double the value of the stolen goods to the original owner. This provision protects the diligent bailee from immediate financial responsibility for a theft not due to their negligence, provided the true perpetrator is found and held accountable.

Exodus 22 10 Context

Exodus 22:10 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 20:22-23:33), which directly follows the Ten Commandments and provides detailed civil and criminal laws for ancient Israel. This section (Exod 22:1-15) specifically addresses laws concerning property, damages, theft, and liabilities related to entrusted goods, known as bailment. Verse 10 initiates a series of laws (through verse 15) dealing with different scenarios of items being left with a neighbor for safekeeping (deposits) and the subsequent responsibilities if these items are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Culturally, depositing valuables with a trusted neighbor was a common and necessary practice in ancient agrarian societies lacking modern banking systems. These laws provided the legal framework to ensure trust, maintain social order, and establish clear responsibilities and penalties. The specific penalty of "double payment" from the thief was a common feature in Ancient Near Eastern law codes, reflecting both restitution to the victim and punishment for the offender. This system aimed to deter theft and provide restorative justice within the community, ensuring the stability and integrity of economic and social interactions.

Exodus 22 10 Word analysis

• If a man (וְכִֽי־יִתֵּ֨ן אִ֜ישׁ - v’khi-yitten ish): Introduces a hypothetical yet common legal scenario. "Ish" (אִישׁ) means "man" or "person," indicating the law's general application to anyone within the community.
• delivers (יִתֵּ֨ן - yitten): The verb "nathan" (נָתַן) implies a voluntary transfer of an item, entrusting it for safekeeping rather than selling or gifting it. It establishes the bailor-bailee relationship.
• to his neighbor (אֶל־רֵעֵ֜הוּ - el-re’ehu): "Re'eh" (רֵעַ) signifies a fellow, companion, or neighbor. This highlights that the transaction occurs within the trusted sphere of the Israelite community, emphasizing mutual responsibility and communal trust.
• money (כֶּ֥סֶף - keseph): Refers to silver, which served as currency or a store of value. Represents tangible assets.
• or articles (א֣וֹ כֵלִ֔ים - o chelim): "Kēlim" (כְלִי) is a broad term encompassing any household goods, implements, or personal effects, indicating that the law applies to a wide range of movable property.
• to keep (לִשְׁמֹ֛ר - lishmor): "Shamar" (שָׁמַר) means "to guard," "to watch," "to preserve." It defines the specific duty of the bailee: not to use, but to protect and ensure the safekeeping of the deposited items.
• and it is stolen (וְגֻנַּב - v'gunnav): Passive voice of "ganav" (גָּנַב), "to steal." This indicates the property was taken by an external force, implying the bailee himself was not the perpetrator and might not have been negligent, though proper care is implicitly expected.
• from the man's house (מִבֵּ֥ית הָאִ֖ישׁ - mi'beit ha'ish): Specifies the location of the theft, underlining that it occurred on the bailee's premises, where the bailee had a duty of care.
• if the thief is found (אִם־יִמָּצֵ֣א הַגַּנָּ֔ב - im-yimmatse haggannav): A crucial conditional clause. The apprehension of the thief (גַּנָּב - gannav, "thief") is paramount for this specific legal remedy. If the thief is not found, other rules apply (Exod 22:11).
• he shall pay double (יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם שְׁנָֽיִם - yeshalem shenayim): "Shalem" (שָׁלֵם) means "to make whole" or "to restore." "Shenayim" (שְׁנָיִם) means "two" or "double." This double restitution serves as both compensation for the owner's loss (direct value + penalty/inconvenience) and a significant punitive measure against the thief, aimed at deterrence and emphasizing the seriousness of the crime.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep": This phrase establishes the specific legal context of a gratuitous bailment or deposit. It defines the trust relationship where valuable items are placed in another's care for security, not for the bailee's benefit.
• "and it is stolen from the man's house": This clause identifies the cause of the loss – a theft from the bailee's premises. This is critical as it distinguishes this scenario from loss due to the bailee's negligence or deliberate action, shifting focus to an external act.
• "if the thief is found, he shall pay double": This specifies the legal resolution. The responsibility for restitution and the punitive consequence are directly placed on the apprehended thief. This protects the diligent bailee from liability when a crime beyond their control has occurred and the true culprit is identified. The "double payment" deters future theft and ensures the owner is fully compensated.

Exodus 22 10 Bonus section

• Gratuitous Bailment: This scenario (Exod 22:10) is understood as a "gratuitous bailment," where the bailee (the neighbor keeping the items) receives no compensation for their service. In ancient Israelite law, such bailees were generally held to a standard of "reasonable care." If the theft occurred despite their diligence, they were absolved of responsibility for the loss if the thief was found or if they swore an oath of non-felony when the thief was not found (Exod 22:11).
• Distinction from other Thefts: The "double payment" here differs from other theft penalties in the same chapter (Exod 22:1, 4), which sometimes mandated fourfold or fivefold restitution. The "double" payment for the apprehended thief of a deposit is often interpreted as full restitution plus a punitive amount. It might reflect a lesser culpability than a direct livestock thief (Exod 22:1) or an acknowledgment that the goods were not being exploited by the thief (unlike an ox or sheep used for labor/slaughtered).
• Polemics against other ANE Legal Codes: While sharing similarities with Ancient Near Eastern law codes like Hammurabi (e.g., laws concerning deposits), the Mosaic law often provided a clearer and morally elevated system. The clarity in identifying the thief's liability for double payment, rather than ambiguous liabilities for the bailee in all cases of theft, reflects the divine origin of these laws. Furthermore, the strong emphasis on oaths before the LORD (Exod 22:11) introduces a theological dimension of accountability beyond mere human legal systems.
• Significance of the Oath: The law in Exodus 22:11 (for when the thief is not found) relies on the bailee's oath before the Lord. This demonstrates the profound religious aspect embedded in Israelite jurisprudence. God Himself was called upon as the ultimate witness and guarantor of truth, especially when physical evidence was absent, underlining the sanctity of truth and covenant loyalty.
• Stewardship Principle: While specific to material goods, the underlying principle resonates with New Testament teachings on spiritual stewardship. Believers are entrusted with gifts, talents, and the gospel (Matt 25:14-30, 1 Tim 6:20). Just as the bailee was responsible for guarding what was given, believers are accountable for stewarding God's entrusted blessings and truths faithfully.

Exodus 22 10 Commentary

Exodus 22:10 is a cornerstone of Israelite civil law, particularly pertaining to the protection of private property within trusted relationships. This verse meticulously defines the terms of a deposit and the subsequent liability in cases of theft. It stipulates that if property entrusted to a neighbor (bailee) for safekeeping is stolen from the bailee's house, the bailee is not held directly liable, provided the actual thief is identified and apprehended. The responsibility for restitution, specifically double the value of the stolen goods, is then imposed squarely on the thief.

This law showcases a sophisticated legal system designed for clarity and fairness. It achieves several vital objectives:

1. Protects the Original Owner: By mandating double restitution, the law ensures the owner not only recovers the lost item's value but also receives a penalty, providing complete satisfaction and discouragement of such crimes.
2. Assigns True Culpability: It correctly identifies the actual perpetrator of the crime, the thief, as the party responsible for the financial penalty, rather than immediately placing it on the diligent caretaker.
3. Encourages Trust and Stability: This provision facilitates interpersonal trust within the community, enabling individuals to confidently deposit their valuables with neighbors without fear that an unforeseen theft would burden their caretakers. This promoted economic interaction and social cohesion in a society where secure storage might be limited.

The nuanced nature of this law becomes even clearer when considered alongside the verses immediately following (Exod 22:11-13), which detail scenarios where the thief is not found, or when a loss is due to other causes like an animal dying, showing varying degrees of bailee liability. This legal code provided a just and structured means for resolving disputes and upholding righteous conduct, reinforcing the principle that unlawful gain through theft carries severe consequences, serving as both punishment and powerful deterrence.