Exodus 22:11
an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse hinges on a crucial detail: the owner must accept the keeper's oath. This isn't just about the keeper proclaiming innocence; it's about the owner acknowledging the solemnity of invoking God's name and trusting in that sacred commitment to settle the matter.
This passage is part of a larger section dealing with laws about damages and restitution for borrowed or entrusted property. It follows laws about animals damaging crops or fields, and cases of theft or loss of deposited goods. This specific verse addresses the situation where an animal entrusted to someone dies or is injured without a clear witness, and it provides for a solemn oath to resolve the dispute.
Imagine a legal system where a spoken promise to God can settle a dispute. In ancient Israel, this wasn't just a nice idea; it was law.
Exodus 22:11 describes a situation where an animal entrusted to someone's care is lost, hurt, or dies. When the owner demands restitution, the keeper can swear a solemn oath to the LORD, declaring they did not misuse or steal the neighbor's property.
This 'oath of the LORD' was incredibly weighty. It wasn't a casual promise. It was an appeal to God's omniscience and justice, essentially saying, 'God knows I'm innocent, and if I'm lying, let Him judge me.' Because of this solemnity, the owner was compelled to accept the oath and forgo restitution. The oath itself served as the final verdict.
Why would an owner have to accept an oath and not demand their property back? This reveals a lot about the underlying principles of justice and trust.
The passage distinguishes between different scenarios. If an animal was stolen from the keeper, restitution was required (Exodus 22:12). If it was torn apart by wild animals, evidence (like bringing a torn piece) might be needed (Exodus 22:13).
However, when the animal was simply lost, hurt, or dead without clear evidence of theft or a specific cause that the keeper could have prevented, the oath became the decisive factor. The law operated on a principle of trust. If someone entrusted their valuable animal to another, they implicitly trusted that person's character. When the keeper swore an oath of innocence, the law honored that trust. It presumed that if the person was willing to stake their eternal well-being on their innocence, they were likely telling the truth. The owner had to trust that the keeper's oath was genuine.
Understand the original words
shevuah · Hebrew Noun
A solemn appeal to God to witness the truth of a statement or the sincerity of a promise. It invokes God's authority and judgment upon the person taking the oath.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, the Creator and Redeemer, who keeps His covenant. It denotes His holiness, presence, and supreme authority.
shillem · Hebrew Verb
A legal requirement to restore, compensate, or make amends for loss, damage, or theft. It aims to restore the victim to their original state and uphold justice in the community.
This passage describes a 'jealousy offering' where a woman suspected of adultery must take an oath, illustrating the solemnity and divine authority vested in oaths in ancient Israelite law to determine guilt or innocence.
1 Samuel 12:5Samuel uses an oath invoking the LORD to demonstrate his integrity and that he has not wronged the people, mirroring the principle in Exodus 22:11 where an oath serves as a powerful declaration of innocence.
Matthew 5:34-37Jesus teaches about the misuse of oaths, urging straightforward speech ('Yes, yes' or 'No, no') and contrasting it with the casual or dishonest oath-taking that undermines true commitment, which is relevant to the solemnity of the oath in Exodus.
Deuteronomy 6:13This verse explicitly commands Israel to fear the LORD their God, serve Him, and swear by His name alone, reinforcing the sacred nature of the 'oath of the LORD' prescribed in Exodus 22:11.
Psalm 15:4This psalm describes the kind of person who may dwell in God's presence, including one who 'swears to his own hurt and does not change,' highlighting the integrity and binding power expected of those who take an oath.
clarkeExodus 22:11: "Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good."
An oath of the Lord be between them - So solemn and awful were all appeals to God considered in those ancient times, that it was taken for granted that the man was innocent who could by an oath appeal to the omniscient God that he had not put his hand to his neighbor's goods. Since oaths have becom…
calvinExodus 22:5-15: "If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution."
If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
Si depasci fecerit quispiam agrum aut vitem,…
The verse hinges on a crucial detail: the owner must accept the keeper's oath. This isn't just about the keeper proclaiming innocence; it's about the owner acknowledging the solemnity of invoking God's name and trusting in that sacred commitment to settle the matter.
This passage is part of a larger section dealing with laws about damages and restitution for borrowed or entrusted property. It follows laws about animals damaging crops or fields, and cases of theft or loss of deposited goods. This specific verse addresses the situation where an animal entrusted to someone dies or is injured without a clear witness, and it provides for a solemn oath to resolve the dispute.
This passage is part of a larger section dealing with laws about damages and restitution for borrowed or entrusted property. It follows laws about animals damaging crops or fields, and cases of theft or loss of deposited goods. This specific verse addresses the situation where an animal entrusted to someone dies or is injured without a clear witness, and it provides for a solemn oath to resolve the dispute.
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"an oath by the LORD shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution." — The verse hinges on a crucial detail: the owner must accept the keeper's oath. This isn't just about the keeper proclaiming innocence; it's about the owner acknowledging the solemnity of invoking G…
