Exodus Chapter 22 — Laws of Restitution and Social Justice
Exodus 22 details civil laws concerning property restitution, liability for damages, and the moral requirements for treating the poor and marginalized.
1“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.
3If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.
5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
6“If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7“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.
8If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods.
9For 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.
10“If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it;
11the oath of the LORD shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
12But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.
13If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.
14“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
15If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.
16“If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
17If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18“You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20“He who sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.
21“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
22“You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.
23If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;
24and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
26If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,
27for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.
28“You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29“You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.
30You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31“You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Exodus 22:21
“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.”
This verse grounds the law of compassion in the Israelites' own history of suffering and redemption.
Exodus 22:22-23
“You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child. If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;”
These verses highlight God's role as the protector of those who lack social status or legal defense.
Exodus 22:27
“for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.”
This passage emphasizes the priority of human needs and mercy over strict debt collection.
Chapter Summary
Exodus 22 continues the legal statutes given to Israel at Mount Sinai, focusing heavily on the principle of restitution. The chapter begins with specific penalties for theft, requiring thieves to pay back multiples of what was taken. It also addresses liability for damages caused by negligence, such as fire or livestock grazing in another person's field. The text then transitions into laws concerning bailment, where one neighbor keeps another's property or animals. Beyond civil disputes, the chapter establishes moral and social standards. It commands the protection of widows, orphans, and foreigners, grounding these laws in Israel's own history as oppressed aliens in Egypt. Additionally, the chapter prohibits charging interest to the poor and emphasizes religious purity through bans on sorcery, idolatry, and the requirement of offering firstfruits to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restitution requires a person who steals or damages property to pay back the owner, often more than the original value. For example, a thief who kills or sells a stolen ox must pay back five oxen to ensure justice and provide compensation for the loss.
The chapter strictly forbids taking advantage of widows or fatherless children. It warns that God is personally attentive to their cries and will bring judgment upon those who oppress them, emphasizing social responsibility.
The text prohibits charging interest when lending money to the poor. Furthermore, if a person takes a neighbor’s garment as collateral for a loan, they must return it by sunset so the owner has a covering for the night.
Study Note
The shift from property laws to social ethics in this chapter demonstrates that holiness in the biblical context involves both civil honesty and active compassion toward the marginalized.
Related Chapters
Leviticus 6
Provides further details on laws regarding restitution and guilt offerings for stolen property.
Deuteronomy 24
Contains parallel instructions regarding the protection of the poor, widows, and orphans.
Matthew 5
Offers New Testament reflections on the principles of justice and mercy found in the Mosaic Law.
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