Exodus 22:1-2
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is the escalation of restitution. It’s not just about replacing what was lost; it's a severe penalty designed to deter theft by making the cost significantly higher than the item’s worth. For an ox, it's a fivefold repayment, and for a sheep, fourfold, highlighting how much more disruptive and costly stealing an ox was to an ancient household’s livelihood.
This passage shifts from the covenant at Sinai to the practical application of God's laws in daily life, focusing on justice and restitution. It begins with specific penalties for theft, particularly concerning livestock which formed the primary wealth of the people. The severity of the penalties, especially the multiples of restitution for oxen and sheep, highlights the value God placed on property and the seriousness of violating it.
When something precious is stolen, the loss isn't just the item itself. The Bible shows us justice isn't about simple exchange, but about making things right.
The Principle of Restitution
This law from Exodus is all about restoring what was taken. But it’s not a simple one-for-one swap. God demands a higher level of accountability when property is stolen, especially if it's killed or sold.
Why the Multiples?
This isn't just about punishment; it's about ensuring the victim is truly made whole again, and the thief understands the gravity of their actions.
Why such steep penalties for stealing an ox or a sheep? The answer lies in understanding the profound value these animals held in ancient Israel.
More Than Just Livestock
These weren't just commodities; they were integral to daily life, economy, and worship.
The Ox's Worth:
Understand the original words
ganav · Hebrew Verb
To take property belonging to another without permission or right; a violation of both the commandment against theft and the social order God established for the protection of property.
damim · Hebrew Noun
The state of being held responsible for the shedding of innocent blood; it implies a legal and moral liability that requires atonement or judgment.
shalam · Hebrew Verb
A term used in legal contexts to refer to the act of making amends for a wrong, specifically through paying back or compensating for loss or damage to restore the victim.
gannav · Hebrew Noun
In the context of biblical law, this refers to a person who illicitly takes the property of another, emphasizing the disruption of the neighborly relationship and the necessity of justice.
This passage directly quotes the principle of restitution from Exodus, showing how it was applied in a real-life situation where a rich man wronged a poor man.
Proverbs 6:30Proverbs acknowledges the severity of theft, contrasting the societal condemnation of a thief with the potential for restitution, though often a more lenient punishment is mentioned.
Luke 19:8In the New Testament, Zacchaeus's repentance is demonstrated through his commitment to making restitution, often at a higher rate than initially stolen, echoing the spirit of these Old Testament laws.
Matthew 5:23-26Jesus teaches about reconciliation, emphasizing that offering a gift to God is secondary to first seeking peace with one's brother, which implies making things right, including potential restitution for wrongs.
calvinExodus 22:1-4: "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 thief be found breaking up. This clause is to be taken separately, and is inserted by way of parenthesis; for, after having decreed the punishment, God adds in connection, "he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he should be sold for his theft;" and this exception as to the thief in the night is introduced parenthetically.…
pooleExodus 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."
Of theft, Exodus 22:1-4 . Of eating another man’s vineyard, Exodus 2:5 Of hurt coming by fire, Exodus 22:6 . Of hurt coming to goods committed to one’s trust, Exodus 22:7-13 . Of hurt befalling things borrowed, Exodus 22:14,15 . Of committing adultery, Exodus 22:16,17 . Of witchcraft, Exodus 22:18 . Of uncleanness with beasts, Exodus 22:19 . Of idolat…
What's striking here is the escalation of restitution. It’s not just about replacing what was lost; it's a severe penalty designed to deter theft by making the cost significantly higher than the item’s worth. For an ox, it's a fivefold repayment, and for a sheep, fourfold, highlighting how much more disruptive and costly stealing an ox was to an ancient household’s livelihood.
This passage shifts from the covenant at Sinai to the practical application of God's laws in daily life, focusing on justice and restitution. It begins with specific penalties for theft, particularly concerning livestock which formed the primary wealth of the people. The severity of the penalties, especially the multiples of restitution for oxen and sheep, highlights the value God placed on property and the seriousness of violating it.
This passage shifts from the covenant at Sinai to the practical application of God's laws in daily life, focusing on justice and restitution. It begins with specific penalties for theft, particularly concerning livestock which formed the primary wealth of the people. The severity of the penalties, especially the multiples of restitution for oxen and sheep, highlights the value God placed on property and the seriousness of violating it.
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The Sheep's Value:
When an ox or sheep was killed or sold, the thief wasn't just taking an animal; they were stealing the owner's livelihood, their ability to worship, and their future security.
"“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him," — What's striking here is the escalation of restitution. It’s not just about replacing what was lost; it's a severe penalty designed to deter theft by making the cost significantly higher than the it…
