Exodus 22:9
7 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.
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.
10 If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,
11 an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.
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
- 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.
- KJV
- For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
- WEB
- For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, ‘This is mine,’ the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
- ASV
- For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, [or] for any manner of lost thing, whereof one saith, This is it, the cause of both parties shall come before God; he whom God shall condemn shall pay double unto his neighbor.
- DARBY
- As to all manner of fraud, as to ox, as to ass, as to sheep, as to clothing, as to everything lost, of which [a man] saith, It is this the cause of both parties shall come before the judges: he whom the judges shall condemn shall restore double to his neighbour.
- BLB
- For every matter of trespass, for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, [or] for any lost thing that one says that this is it, the matter of the two of them shall come before the judges; whomever the judges condemn, he shall repay double to his neighbor.
- ÅB
- Hver gang det gjelder svikefull adferd med gods, enten det er en okse eller et esel eller en sau eller klær eller i det hele noe som er kommet bort, og så en sier: her er det, da skal saken mellom de to komme fram for Gud[^2]; den som Gud dømmer skyldig, han skal gi sin neste dobbelt igjen.
- OTB
- I alle tilfeller av ulovlig besittelse, enten det gjelder en okse, et esel, et får, klær eller enhver tapt eiendom som noen sier: 'Dette er mitt,' skal begge parter presentere sine saker for dommerne. Den som dommerne erklærer skyldig, må betale dobbelt til den andre.
- B1930
- Hver gang det gjelder svikefull adferd med gods, enten det er en okse eller et asen eller et får eller klær eller i det hele noget som er kommet bort, og så en sier: her er det, da skal saken mellem de to komme frem for Gud; den som Gud dømmer skyldig, han skal gi sin næste dobbelt igjen. / < se 2MO 22, 8.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Deuteronomy 25:1
If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
Read in contextExodus 23:6–8
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.
Read in contextNumbers 5:6–7
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty
Read in contextExodus 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 contextMatthew 18:35
That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Read in contextLuke 17:3–4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Read in context1 Kings 8:31
When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,
Read in context2 Chronicles 19:10
For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
Read in context