Exodus 22:1
Exodus 22:1 in Multiple Translations
“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 man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
If a man takes without right another man's ox or his sheep, and puts it to death or gets a price for it, he is to give five oxen for an ox, or four sheep for a sheep, in payment: the thief will have to make payment for what he has taken; if he has no money, he himself will have to be exchanged for money, so that payment may be made.
“Anyone who steals an ox or a sheep and kills or sells it must pay back five oxen for one ox and four sheep for one sheep.
If a man steale an oxe or a sheepe, and kill it or sell it, he shall restore fiue oxen for the oxe, and foure sheepe for the sheepe.
'When a man doth steal an ox or sheep, and hath slaughtered it or sold it, five of the herd he doth repay for the ox, and four of the flock for the sheep.
“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.
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
If any man steal an ox or a sheep, and kill or sell it: he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.
Yahweh also said, “If someone steals a bull or a sheep, and then slaughters it to sell it or to sacrifice it or sells its meat to someone else, he must pay five bulls for the bull that he stole, and he must pay four sheep for the sheep that he stole.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 22:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 22:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
בַּ/מַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת
יִמָּצֵ֥א
הַ/גַּנָּ֖ב
וְ/הֻכָּ֣ה
וָ/מֵ֑ת
אֵ֥ין
ל֖/וֹ
דָּמִֽים
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
בַּ/מַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת
machtereth
H4290
breaking
Prep | N-fs
יִמָּצֵ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
הַ/גַּנָּ֖ב
gannâb
H1590
thief
Art | N-ms
וְ/הֻכָּ֣ה
nâkâh
H5221
to smite
Conj | V-Hophal-Perf-3ms
וָ/מֵ֑ת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
ל֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
דָּמִֽים
dâm
H1818
blood
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 22:1
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
בַּ/מַּחְתֶּ֛רֶת
machtereth
H4290
"breaking"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means to break in or search secretly, like a burglary. It's used to describe unexpected examinations or invasions.
Definition: a breaking in, burglary
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: breaking up, secret search. See also: Exodus 22:1; Jeremiah 2:34.
יִמָּצֵ֥א
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
הַ/גַּנָּ֖ב
gannâb
H1590
"thief"
Art | N-ms
A thief is someone who takes things that dont belong to them, as seen in the Bible where Jesus teaches about a thief in the night. This word is used to describe people who steal. It appears in various Bible stories.
Definition: thief
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: thief. See also: Exodus 22:1; Proverbs 29:24; Psalms 50:18.
וְ/הֻכָּ֣ה
nâkâh
H5221
"to smite"
Conj | V-Hophal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.
Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)
Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.
וָ/מֵ֑ת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
ל֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
דָּמִֽים
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-mp
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
Study Notes — Exodus 22:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 22:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:1
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 22:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
- Sermons on Exodus 22:1
Context — Property Laws
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.
2If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. 3But 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 19:8 | But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.” |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 12:6 | Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 6:31 | Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. |
| 4 | Numbers 5:7 | and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. |
| 5 | Leviticus 6:1–6 | And the LORD said to Moses, “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, or anything else about which he has sworn falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he acknowledges his guilt. Then he must bring to the priest his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock. |
| 6 | Proverbs 14:4 | Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
Exodus 22:1 Summary
[This verse is talking about what happens when someone steals an animal, like an ox or a sheep, and then either kills it or sells it. The person who stole the animal has to pay back the owner five times the value of the ox or four times the value of the sheep, as a way of making things right. This shows that God cares about fairness and justice, and wants us to treat others with respect and honesty, just like it says in Exodus 20:15 and Leviticus 19:11. By following God's principles, we can build trust and strong relationships with others, and live in a way that honors Him.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Bible require a thief to repay five oxen for one ox and four sheep for one sheep?
This is because the thief not only stole the animal but also slaughtered or sold it, thereby depriving the owner of its use and potential offspring, as seen in Exodus 22:1, and this principle is also reflected in Leviticus 6:5.
Is this principle of restitution still applicable today?
While the specific laws in Exodus 22:1 may not be directly applicable, the principle of restitution and making amends for wrongdoing is still relevant, as seen in Matthew 5:23-24 and Luke 19:8.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows God's concern for justice, fairness, and the well-being of His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 119:137.
What is the significance of the different repayment rates for oxen and sheep?
The different repayment rates may reflect the different values and uses of oxen and sheep in ancient Israelite society, with oxen being more valuable for labor and sheep for wool and milk, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:10 and Proverbs 27:23-27.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of restitution in my own life, making amends for past wrongs and seeking to restore relationships?
- How can I balance the need for justice and punishment with the need for mercy and forgiveness, as seen in Exodus 22:1 and Matthew 18:21-35?
- What does this verse teach me about God's heart for justice and His desire for His people to live in righteousness, and how can I reflect this in my own life?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me and meet my needs, even in situations where I may feel like I am being taken advantage of or wronged, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 and Philippians 4:19?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:1
If a man shall steal an ox or a sheep,.... In which the substance of men chiefly lay in those times, and particularly the people of Israel, who were now come out of Egypt, with their flocks and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:1
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a man shall steal.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
EXODUS CHAPTER 22 Of theft, . Of eating another man’ s vineyard, Of hurt coming by fire, . Of hurt coming to goods committed to one’ s trust, . Of hurt befalling things borrowed, ,15. Of committing adultery, ,17. Of witchcraft, . Of uncleanness with beasts, . Of idolatry, . That none shall hurt strangers or widows, . Of unsury, .
Of pawning clothes, ,27. Of honouring magistrates, . Of the first-fruits, . Of eating flesh torn by beasts, . An ox, or a sheep; or, an ass, which is added , and consequently any other living creature, to be valued according to its worth and use to man, proportionably to the rule here laid down. Only these are instanced in for their usefulness in the service both of God and men. Or sell it, which was an aggravation of the crime, and a token of greater boldness, resolvedness, and expertness in the trade of thieving, than was in him who kept it at home, . Four sheep for a sheep. Quest. 1. Why so much, seeing the stealer of other things was tied to restore but double?
Answ. 1. For terror, because these beasts being kept in the fields might more easily be stolen. 2. Because the loss of these was greater than of other things; for they did not only lose what the cattle might be sold for, but all the service, increase, and other benefits which a man might receive from them. Quest. 2. Why more for oxen than for sheep? Answ. 1. Because it argued greater boldness and customariness in the thief to steal that which might more easily be discovered. 2. Because besides the intrinsical worth of the ox, the labour of the ox was very considerable to his owner, , and therefore the loss greater.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
Exodus 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.Ver. 1. If a man shall steal, &c.] The Persians at this day punish theft and manslaughter so severely, that in an age a man shall hardly hear either of the one or the other. The Turk’ s justice will rather cut off two innocent men than let one thief escape. The Preacher’ s Travels, by J. Cartwright.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
XXII.(1-4) Theft is here treated of with great brevity, only three kinds being distinguished—(1) Housebreaking; (2) stealing without conversion of the property; (3) stealing with conversion. The main principle of punishment laid down is the exaction from the offender o! Double (Exodus 22:4). When, however, there has been conversion of the property, the penalty is heavier, the return of four-fold in the case of a sheep, of five-fold in that of an ox (Exodus 22:1). Incidentally it is enacted that the burglar may be resisted by force (Exodus 22:2), and that to kill him shall be justifiable homicide; and further, it is laid down that a thief unable to make the legal restitution shall become a slave in order to pay his debt (Exodus 22:3).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
CHAPTER XXII Laws concerning theft, 1-4; concerning trespass, 5; concerning casualties, 6. Laws concerning deposits, or goods left in custody of others, which may have been lost, stolen, or damaged, 7-13. Laws concerning things borrowed or let out on hire, 14, 15. Laws concerning seduction, 16, 17. Laws concerning witchcraft, 18; bestiality, 19; idolatry, 20. Laws concerning strangers, 21; concerning widows, 22-24; lending money to the poor, 25; concerning pledges, 26; concerning respect to magistrates, 28; concerning the first ripe fruits, and the first-born of man and beast, 29, 30. Directions concerning carcasses found torn in the field, 31. NOTES ON CHAP. XXII Verse 1. If a man shall steal] This chapter consists chiefly of judicial laws, as the preceding chapter does of political; and in it the same good sense, and well-marked attention to the welfare of the community and the moral improvement of each individual, are equally evident.
In our translation of this verse, by rendering different Hebrew words by the same term in English, we have greatly obscured the sense. I shall produce the verse with the original words which I think improperly translated, because one English term is used for two Hebrew words, which in this place certainly do not mean the same thing. If a man shall steal an ox (שור shor) or a sheep, (שה seh), and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen (בקר bakar) for an ox, (שור shor), and four sheep (צאן tson) for a sheep (שה seh). I think it must appear evident that the sacred writer did not intend that these words should be understood as above. A shor certainly is different from a bakar, and a seh from a tson. Where the difference in every case lies, wherever these words occur, it is difficult to say. The shor and the bakar are doubtless creatures of the beeve kind, and are used in different parts of the sacred writings to signify the bull, the ox, the heifer, the steer, and the calf. The seh and the tson are used to signify the ram, the wether, the ewe, the lamb, the he-goat, the she-goat, and the kid. And the latter word צאן tson seems frequently to signify the flock, composed of either of these lesser cattle, or both sorts conjoined. As שור shor is used, Job 21:10, for a bull probably it may mean so here.
If a man steal a BULL he shall give five OXEN for him, which we may presume was no more than his real value, as very few bulls could be kept in a country destitute of horses, where oxen were so necessary to till the ground. For though some have imagined that there were no castrated cattle among the Jews, yet this cannot be admitted on the above reason; for as they had no horses, and bulls would have been unmanageable and dangerous, they must have had oxen for the purposes of agriculture.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:1
1–4. Theft of ox or sheep; and burglary.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 22:1
The theft of an ox appears to have been regarded as a greater crime than the theft of a sheep, because it showed a stronger purpose in wickedness to take the larger and more powerful animal.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 22:1
1. If a man shall steal — Moses knew full well that prohibition would not prohibit crimes of any sort without a rigid administration.
Sermons on Exodus 22:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 22:1-2 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a news story about a man who shot a thief breaking into his home and was sued by the thief. The speaker argues that the man should have been j |
|
What Christ Did for Me (Zac’s Testimony) by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the disconnect between the captivating nature of worldly entertainment and the perceived lack of interest in church and sermons. The speaker |
|
(Through the Bible) Exodus 21-22 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses Exodus chapters 21 and 22, emphasizing the importance of God's judgments and laws as guidelines for judges in Israel. He explains that these laws were not mea |
|
Guidelines to Freedom Part 7 - I Was Only Borrowing It by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Eighth Commandment, "You shall not steal." He explains that stealing is wrong and explores different ways in which people can steal. The |
|
On Eagles' Wings Pt 19 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher shares two powerful stories of individuals who were convicted of their sins and chose to make restitution. The first story is about a construction work |
|
1 Peter 4:15 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes that Christians should not suffer for wrongdoing, such as murder, theft, or being a busybody in others' affairs. He explains that the consequences of such acti |
|
Gaining and Maintaining a Clear Conscience by Tom Palmer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a clear conscience and being right with God and others. He encourages the audience to take a moment to reflect on th |