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Exodus 22:2

1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

3 But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.

4 If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.
KJV
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
WEB
If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.
ASV
If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.
DARBY
If the thief be encountered breaking in, and be smitten so that he die, there shall be no blood-guiltiness for him.
BLB
If the thief is found in the breaking in, and he is struck and he dies, [there is] no bloodguilt for him.
ÅB
Dersom tyven blir grepet mens han bryter inn, og blir slått så han dør, da kommer det ingen blodskyld derav.
OTB
Hvis en tyv blir tatt mens han bryter seg inn og blir slått slik at han dør, er det ingen skyld for blodutgytelse på forsvarerens konto.
B1930
Dersom tyven blir grepet mens han bryter inn, og blir slått så han dør, da kommer det ingen blodskyld derav.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 24:43

    But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 6:19–20

    Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 35:27

    and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed

    Read in context

  • Joel 2:9

    They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.

    Read in context

  • Job 24:14

    When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.

    Read in context

  • Hosea 7:1

    When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim will be exposed, as well as the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits raid in the streets.

    Read in context

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

    Read in context

  • Job 30:5

    They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves,

    Read in context