Exodus 22:7 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Exodus 22:7 kjv
If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
Exodus 22:7 nkjv
"If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
Exodus 22:7 niv
"If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.
Exodus 22:7 esv
"If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man's house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
Exodus 22:7 nlt
"Suppose someone leaves money or goods with a neighbor for safekeeping, and they are stolen from the neighbor's house. If the thief is caught, the compensation is double the value of what was stolen.
Exodus 22 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 22:1 | "If a man steals an ox or a sheep... he shall repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." | General restitution for theft. |
| Ex 22:4 | "If the thief is caught in the act of breaking in... he shall pay double." | Double payment for direct theft/break-in. |
| Ex 22:8-9 | "...if a man gives to his neighbor a donkey, or an ox... it is lost... Then the oath of the Lord shall be between them..." | Custodian liability when thief not found. |
| Lev 6:1-5 | "If anyone sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor... he shall restore it in full and add a fifth to it..." | Restitution + 20% for fraud/deception. |
| Num 5:6-8 | "When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit... they shall restore what they unlawfully took..." | General restitution to the wronged party. |
| Deut 19:21 | "Your eye shall not pity... Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." | Principle of proportionality in justice. |
| Deut 25:15-16 | "You shall have a full and just weight, a full and just measure... For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord..." | Integrity in commerce and dealings. |
| Prov 6:30-31 | "People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite... but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold..." | Expanded restitution for theft. |
| Zech 5:3-4 | "Every thief... shall be cut off according to it... into the house of the thief..." | God's judgment against theft and injustice. |
| Jer 23:25-27 | "...they think to make my people forget my name by their dreams..." | Condemnation of deceitful practices. |
| Isa 61:8 | "For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong..." | God's righteous character. |
| Mk 12:31 | "The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." | Basis for treating neighbors fairly. |
| Rom 13:7-10 | "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law... Love does no wrong to a neighbor..." | Love as fulfilling the law, no wronging. |
| Col 3:25 | "For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality." | Principle of just recompense. |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith..." | Responsibility for one's own, parallels trust. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace..." | Stewardship and faithful service. |
| Lk 16:10 | "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." | Faithfulness in handling entrusted items. |
| Phil 4:8 | "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure..." | Principle for right conduct and dealings. |
| Ps 37:21 | "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives." | Righteousness associated with fulfilling obligations. |
| 2 Cor 8:20-21 | "...avoiding any charge that anyone should blame us with regard to this generous gift, which is being administered by us..." | Care in handling entrusted funds. |
| Jas 2:13 | "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." | Balance between justice and mercy (though not direct to restitution). |
| Jas 5:4 | "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you..." | Injustice and fraud; implies just dealing. |
Exodus 22 verses
Exodus 22 7 meaning
Exodus 22:7 establishes a legal principle concerning the safekeeping of property entrusted to a neighbor. It specifies that if money or other articles delivered for custody are stolen from the house of the person keeping them, and the thief is subsequently discovered, that thief is liable to repay double the value of what was stolen. This law delineates responsibility and penalty within a communal framework of trust and property.
Exodus 22 7 Context
Exodus 22:7 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22–23:33), which follows the Ten Commandments and provides detailed laws for Israelite society. This section, particularly chapters 21-23, addresses civil and criminal statutes, social justice, and religious regulations. The preceding verses (22:1-6) deal with various forms of theft, damages, and responsibility for property, often outlining restitution principles, including the concept of double repayment in specific theft scenarios (Ex 22:4). Verse 7 transitions to the specific case of entrusted property, differentiating liability from direct theft. Historically, the law reflects the economic and social realities of ancient Israel, where individuals often deposited valuables with trusted neighbors for safekeeping due to the absence of modern banking institutions or secure storage options. It parallels similar deposit laws found in other ancient Near Eastern legal codes (e.g., Code of Hammurabi), though with distinct theological underpinnings centered on Yahweh's justice and covenant.
Exodus 22 7 Word analysis
- If a man (אִישׁ, 'ish): Refers to a generic individual, any Israelite male (or implicitly female through her household head) participating in the economy.
- delivers (יִתֵּן, yitten): Literally "gives." Implies entrusting, not selling or lending for profit. It establishes a fiduciary relationship based on trust.
- to his neighbor (לְרֵעֵהוּ, l'reehu): Denotes a fellow Israelite, friend, or member of the community. This relationship carries specific covenantal and social obligations.
- money (כֶּסֶף, kesef): Specifically silver, which was the standard medium of exchange and value in the ancient world.
- or articles (אוֹ־כֵלִים, o kelyim): Refers to vessels, goods, tools, or valuable possessions. This broad term covers a variety of personal property beyond just currency.
- to keep (לִשְׁמֹר, lishmor): Meaning "to guard, watch, preserve, keep safe." This explicitly states the purpose of the delivery – for safekeeping, establishing a bailee-bailor agreement where the receiver assumes responsibility.
- and it is stolen (וְנִגְנַב, w'nig·nav): Passive voice, "it is stolen away." This is crucial as it implies the property was taken by a third party and not misappropriated by the keeper themselves.
- out of the man's house (מִבֵּית הָאִישׁ, mib·beit ha·'ish): Specifies the location of the theft, indicating the entrusted item was in the physical custody and domain of the one entrusted. This location implies the normal place where such goods would be kept and guarded.
- if the thief (אִם־יִמָּצֵא הַגַּנָּב, im-yim·ma·tze hag·gan·nav): "If the thief is found." This is a conditional clause of paramount importance. The law only applies this specific penalty if the culprit of the theft is apprehended.
- is found (יִמָּצֵא, yimmatzei): Signifies that the actual perpetrator has been identified and caught. This shifts liability away from the diligent keeper and onto the criminal.
- he shall pay double (יְשַׁלֵּם שְׁנַיִם, yeshallam sh'nayim): A legal requirement for restitution. "Double" serves multiple purposes: full compensation to the original owner, punitive measure against the thief, deterrent to others, and acknowledgment of the additional loss or distress caused by the theft. This specific penalty is for the thief.
Exodus 22 7 Bonus section
This verse highlights the distinctions in Israelite law regarding property crime and custodianship. While the general principle of restitution for theft is foundational (Ex 22:1, Lev 6:4), the double payment in this context for a found thief is particularly notable. It signifies an aggravated form of theft where not only property is lost, but a trust relationship is also violated by an external agent. The Mosaic Law consistently demanded more than simple repayment in cases involving betrayal, direct breach of peace (e.g., housebreaking in Ex 22:2-3, for which a night thief caught in the act paid double if he survived), or the need for a stronger deterrent against certain offenses. This law ensures that if the true culprit is identified, the full weight of justice falls upon them, protecting the diligent custodian and upholding the value of personal property within the community. It also implies a certain diligence on the part of the householder; while not explicitly stated, failure to properly secure the house might be considered negligent in other scenarios. However, this verse presumes that theft still occurs despite the custodian's care.
Exodus 22 7 Commentary
Exodus 22:7 addresses the integrity of entrusted property, reflecting God's concern for justice and the stability of society. It outlines a scenario where a trusting relationship is undermined by a third-party thief. The law's immediate concern is not the keeper's liability (which is addressed in Ex 22:8-9 when the thief is not found), but rather the severe consequences for the found thief. By requiring double restitution, the law serves as a powerful deterrent, goes beyond mere compensation, and reinforces the seriousness of infringing on a neighbor's trust and property. This also provided relief to the original owner for not only the value of the item but also the distress, loss of use, or perceived insecurity that came from the theft. The emphasis on catching the thief underscores the importance of communal responsibility in maintaining law and order, reflecting God's standard of truth and accountability within His covenant people.