Exodus 22:7
5 If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
6 If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.
If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.
8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has taken his neighbor’s property.
9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
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 man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.
- KJV
- If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
- WEB
- “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
- ASV
- 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, he shall pay double.
- DARBY
- If a man deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him restore double;
- BLB
- If a man gives to his neighbor silver or articles to keep and it is stolen from the house of the man, if the thief is found, he shall repay double.
- ÅB
- Når noen gir sin neste penger eller gods å gjemme, og det blir stjålet bort fra mannens hus, da skal tyven, om han finnes, gi dobbelt igjen.
- OTB
- «Hvis noen gir sin nabo penger eller varer for oppbevaring og de blir stjålet fra naboens hus, må tyven, hvis han blir tatt, betale dobbelt.
- B1930
- Når nogen gir sin næste penger eller gods å gjemme, og det blir stjålet bort fra mannens hus, da skal tyven, om han finnes, gi dobbelt igjen.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Exodus 22:4
If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.
Read in contextProverbs 6:30–31
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.
Read in context