Property Rights

22 [a]If someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and (A)four sheep for the sheep— [b]If the (B)thief is [c]caught while [d]breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no guilt for bloodshed on his account. If the sun has risen on him, there will be guilt for bloodshed on his account—A thief shall certainly make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be (C)sold for his theft. If what he stole is actually found alive in his [e]possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, (D)he shall pay double.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:1 Ch 21:37 in Heb
  2. Exodus 22:2 Ch 22:1 in Heb
  3. Exodus 22:2 Lit found
  4. Exodus 22:2 I.e., at night; cf. v 3
  5. Exodus 22:4 Lit hand

Laws Concerning Theft of Personal Property

22 [a]“If a man steals an ox or sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he is to repay five oxen[b] for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is found while breaking into a house,[c] and is struck down and dies, it is not a capital crime[d] in that case,[e] but if the sun has risen on him, then it is a capital crime[f] in that case.[g] A thief[h] is certainly to make restitution, but if he has nothing, he is to be sold[i] for his theft. If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox, a donkey or a sheep, he is to repay double.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:1 This verse is 21:37 in MT
  2. Exodus 22:1 Or cattle
  3. Exodus 22:2 Lit. while breaking in
  4. Exodus 22:2 Lit. dies, there is no bloodguilt
  5. Exodus 22:2 Lit. for him or for it
  6. Exodus 22:3 Lit. then there is bloodguilt
  7. Exodus 22:3 Lit. for him or for it
  8. Exodus 22:3 Lit. He
  9. Exodus 22:3 I.e. sold into slavery