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Laws Concerning Preservation of Life

22 When you see[a] your neighbor’s[b] ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it;[c] you must return it without fail[d] to your neighbor. If the owner[e] does not live near[f] you or you do not know who the owner is,[g] then you must corral the animal[h] at your house and let it stay with you until the owner looks for it; then you must return it to him. You shall do the same to his donkey, his clothes, or anything else your neighbor[i] has lost and you have found; you must not refuse to get involved.[j] When you see[k] your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it;[l] instead, you must be sure[m] to help him get the animal on its feet again.[n]

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 22:1 tn Heb “you must not see,” but, if translated literally into English, the statement is misleading.
  2. Deuteronomy 22:1 tn Heb “brother’s” (also later in this verse). In this context it is not limited to one’s siblings, however; cf. NAB “your kinsman’s.”
  3. Deuteronomy 22:1 tn Heb “hide yourself.”
  4. Deuteronomy 22:1 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with the words “without fail.”
  5. Deuteronomy 22:2 tn Heb “your brother” (also later in this verse).
  6. Deuteronomy 22:2 tn Heb “is not.” The idea of “residing” is implied.
  7. Deuteronomy 22:2 tn Heb “and you do not know him.”
  8. Deuteronomy 22:2 tn Heb “it”; the referent (the ox or sheep mentioned in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  9. Deuteronomy 22:3 tn Heb “your brother” (also in v. 4).
  10. Deuteronomy 22:3 tn Heb “you must not hide yourself.”
  11. Deuteronomy 22:4 tn Heb “you must not see.” See note at 22:1.
  12. Deuteronomy 22:4 tn Heb “and (must not) hide yourself from them.”
  13. Deuteronomy 22:4 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “be sure.”
  14. Deuteronomy 22:4 tn Heb “help him to lift them up.” In keeping with English style the singular is used in the translation, and the referent (“the animal”) has been specified for clarity.

Hospitality to Neighbors

22 “When you see the ox or sheep of your fellow countryman[a] straying, don’t go away and leave it. Instead, be sure to return it to him.[b] If your fellow countryman doesn’t live near you or you don’t know who he is, bring the animal[c] to your house and let it remain with you until he[d] claims it. Then return it to him. Do the same for his donkey, his garment, and for anything lost that belongs to your fellow countryman. When you find it, you must not ignore it. When you see the donkey or the ox of your fellow countryman fallen on the road, don’t ignore it. Instead be sure to help it get up.”

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 22:1 Lit. brother’s and so throughout the chapter
  2. Deuteronomy 22:1 Lit. brother and so throughout the chapter
  3. Deuteronomy 22:2 Lit. bring it
  4. Deuteronomy 22:2 Lit. brother