Exodus 22:12 kjv
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
Exodus 22:12 nkjv
But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it.
Exodus 22:12 niv
But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution must be made to the owner.
Exodus 22:12 esv
But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.
Exodus 22:12 nlt
But if the animal was indeed stolen, the guilty person must pay compensation to the owner.
Exodus 22 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 31:39 | "That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss myself." | Jacob's stricter practice, showing this law as a relief. |
| Exod 22:10 | "If a man delivers to his neighbor an animal to keep, and it dies or is injured or is torn..." | Broader context of bailee responsibility for entrusted animals. |
| Exod 22:11 | "...an oath by the LORD shall be between them both that he has not put his hand to his neighbor's property." | Bailee taking an oath as an alternative for proof when physical evidence is absent. |
| Exod 22:14-15 | "If a man borrows anything from his neighbor and it is injured or dies..." | Contrasting law for borrowed items, where the borrower is generally liable. |
| Deut 19:15 | "A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime...only on the evidence of two or three witnesses shall a charge be established." | Principle of multiple witnesses for legal certainty. |
| Num 35:30 | "Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses..." | Applying witness principle to capital offenses. |
| Matt 18:16 | "But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Witness principle applied to church discipline. |
| 2 Cor 13:1 | "This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Paul upholding the legal standard for proving charges. |
| John 8:17-18 | "In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true... I am the one who bears witness about myself..." | Jesus affirming and fulfilling the law's witness requirement. |
| 1 Tim 5:19 | "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Requirement for reliable evidence in accusations against spiritual leaders. |
| Heb 10:28 | "Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without appeal on the testimony of two or three witnesses." | Highlighting the severe consequences based on sufficient testimony. |
| Prov 12:17 | "Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceit." | Importance of truthful testimony in justice. |
| Prov 19:5 | "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." | Consequences for giving false witness. |
| Prov 24:28 | "Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips." | Exhortation against malicious or deceitful testimony. |
| Prov 25:18 | "A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow." | Severity of false testimony. |
| Job 1:16-17 | "The fire of God fell from heaven...The Chaldeans formed three groups..." | Examples of loss by natural calamity ("fire of God") and raid, beyond human control. |
| Ps 15:4 | "...who swears to his own hurt and does not change." | Implies integrity in giving a sworn account or testimony, relevant to the oath in Exod 22:11. |
| Ezek 34:10 | "...I am against the shepherds, and I will demand my sheep from their hand..." | Principle of divine accountability for those entrusted with stewardship. |
| Mal 3:5 | "Then I will draw near to you for judgment... against those who oppress the wage earner and widow and orphan, and those who turn aside the sojourner, and do not fear me..." | God as the ultimate witness against injustice. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | General principle of faithfulness and accountability in stewardship. |
| Deut 1:16 | "And I charged your judges at that time, 'Hear the cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him.'" | Judges instructed to administer righteous judgment. |
| Deut 1:17 | "You shall not show partiality in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of anyone's presence, for the judgment is God's." | Principles for impartial justice in judgment. |
Exodus 22 verses
Exodus 22 12 Meaning
Exodus 22:12 details a specific legal scenario concerning an animal entrusted to a bailee (a person who is holding property belonging to another). This verse states that if the entrusted animal is violently killed or mutilated by wild beasts, the bailee is absolved from financial liability and is not required to compensate the owner for the loss. The critical condition for this absolution is that the bailee must present physical evidence – the remains of the torn animal – as a verifiable witness or proof that the incident occurred as claimed. This law distinguishes between loss due to negligence or theft, and loss due to an unforeseen and unavoidable natural event, establishing a principle of justice based on verifiable facts and an act of God.
Exodus 22 12 Context
Exodus 22:12 is embedded within the Book of the Covenant (Exod 20:22 - 23:33), which outlines the specific judicial and social laws governing ancient Israel as a covenant community. This section immediately follows the Ten Commandments and details the practical implications of living in covenant with God, focusing heavily on property rights, civil responsibility, and social justice. Specifically, verse 12 is part of a series of laws concerning deposits and entrusted goods (Exod 22:7-15), dealing with the liability of a bailee. In ancient agrarian Israelite society, livestock represented significant wealth, and their care and ownership were subject to clear legal stipulations. This law establishes parameters for culpability, differentiating between a loss caused by negligence, theft, or deliberate harm (for which the bailee would be liable) and a loss caused by forces beyond human control, such as a predatory wild animal attack. The requirement of presenting the torn remains highlights the emphasis on concrete evidence and truthfulness in the Israelite legal system, preventing false claims and ensuring fairness for both the owner and the bailee.
Exodus 22 12 Word analysis
- If: Establishes a conditional clause, setting a specific circumstance under which the subsequent rule applies.
- it is torn: Hebrew: ṭāraph (טרף), meaning to tear, rend, or consume violently. This term indicates a clear, violent, and unavoidable act, distinguishing the cause of death from sickness, natural causes, or the bailee's neglect.
- by beasts: Hebrew: ḥayyah (חיה), referring to wild animals, particularly predators like lions, bears, or wolves. This specifies that the loss was due to an external, untamed force of nature, rather than an internal failing or human act. It marks the event as a force majeure – an unforeseeable and uncontrollable event.
- then he shall bring it for a witness: Hebrew: yabí' 'ōtāh lĕ-ʿēd. "He shall bring it" (referring to the carcass or its parts). "For a witness" (Hebrew: ʿēd - עד), meaning as testimony or evidence. This is the crucial requirement for the bailee to be absolved of liability. The physical remains of the animal serve as tangible proof, preventing fraudulent claims and requiring an honest accounting of the situation. This foreshadows modern forensic evidence, emphasizing factual substantiation.
- and shall not make good: Hebrew: wĕlo' yĕšallem. "Shall not repay," "shall not restore," "shall not compensate." Derived from shalem (שלם), to be complete, to make whole. This directly states the legal consequence: the bailee is released from the obligation to financial restitution or replacement.
- what was torn: Refers specifically to the deceased animal, specifying the subject of the loss.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "If it is torn by beasts": This phrase precisely defines the triggering condition. It distinguishes this scenario from cases where an animal might die due to disease, negligence, or be stolen. The cause (wild beast attack) signifies an event beyond the bailee's diligent control.
- "then he shall bring it for a witness": This stipulation highlights the burden of proof placed on the bailee. The torn animal's remains are not just a relic, but crucial physical evidence, serving as concrete, verifiable testimony (ʿēd) to corroborate the bailee's claim. This reinforces the emphasis on truth and verifiable facts in the legal system.
- "and shall not make good what was torn": This outcome directly flows from the validated testimony. It legally absolves the bailee of responsibility, indicating that losses due to unavoidable natural occurrences, proven by objective evidence, do not result in a penalty for the one entrusted with the care. It promotes a system of justice where liability is tied to reasonable care and the ability to influence an outcome, rather than absolute responsibility for all eventualities.
Exodus 22 12 Bonus section
- Principles of Diligence and Force Majeure: The law implies that a bailee is expected to exercise due diligence in caring for the entrusted animal. However, it recognizes that some events are truly outside of human control and cannot be prevented by even the most careful stewardship. This forms an early legal precedent for distinguishing between losses caused by negligence and those by unforeseeable calamities (often termed force majeure or acts of God).
- Foundation for Fair Contracts: This verse provides an ethical foundation for contractual agreements in which the terms of responsibility are understood to be contingent on what can reasonably be controlled and verified. It promotes trustworthiness in such agreements within the covenant community.
- Honesty as a Pillar of Justice: The emphasis on "witness" (physical evidence) highlights that truth and provable facts are fundamental to resolving disputes in God's ordered society. This is part of the broader biblical command against false witness and a call for integrity in all dealings.
- Contrast with Absolute Liability: In some ancient legal systems, strict or absolute liability for entrusted property might have been common, placing the full burden of any loss on the bailee regardless of the cause. Exodus 22:12 demonstrates a more equitable and discerning approach by providing conditions for exoneration.
Exodus 22 12 Commentary
Exodus 22:12 provides a clear illustration of God's righteous and practical principles for civil justice within ancient Israel. It is not a blanket rule absolving all liability for entrusted property, but rather a carefully nuanced stipulation that balances the owner's right to protection with the bailee's limited capacity to prevent unforeseen calamities. The core of this law is the distinction between ordinary diligence (implied in the role of the bailee) and events that constitute an act of God or force majeure. When an animal entrusted for safekeeping is killed by a wild beast, the bailee is not held financially responsible because this event is typically beyond reasonable human control or prevention. However, this absolution is strictly contingent upon providing verifiable proof. The requirement to "bring it for a witness" by presenting the torn remains ensures that the claim is legitimate and not a cover-up for negligence or theft. This specific demand for physical evidence underscores the premium placed on truth, transparency, and integrity in ancient Israel's legal proceedings, promoting a just resolution based on factual demonstration rather than mere assertion. It ensures that while an unexpected tragedy might spare the diligent bailee from loss, the owner is also protected from fraud.