But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that if an animal is stolen from a hired keeper, they must make restitution. The Hebrew phrase suggests the animal was taken "from with him," implying it was stolen from his presence or custody, indicating negligence on his part that could have been prevented.
But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger section of law in Exodus detailing responsibilities when someone's property is damaged or lost while in another's care. It follows laws concerning damage to fields by livestock and fire, and precedes rules about borrowed items. The focus here is on recompense when livestock entrusted for safekeeping disappears due to theft, implying a failure in the keeper's duty to prevent it.
When something entrusted to your care goes missing, what's the first thing you'd think? Was it just bad luck, or something more?
This verse highlights a crucial principle in ancient Israelite law: responsibility. If an animal entrusted to someone's keeping was stolen, they were required to make restitution.
Why Restitution?
We often shrug off losses by saying 'accidents happen.' But does that always cover it when we're responsible for something precious?
The law in Exodus 22 provides a framework for understanding responsibility, especially when dealing with entrusted property. It draws a clear line:
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This passage outlines the principle of restitution for various sins, including theft, emphasizing that sins against neighbors require making things right, not just seeking forgiveness from God.
2 Samuel 12:1-6Nathan the prophet uses a parable to confront David about his sin, highlighting the concept of a person having to pay back 'fourfold' when they take what isn't theirs, mirroring the restitution principles in Exodus.
Luke 19:8When Zacchaeus the tax collector encounters Jesus, he demonstrates genuine repentance by promising to restore fourfold to anyone he had defrauded, showing a practical outworking of restitution.
Proverbs 6:30-31This proverb contrasts the severity of stealing with the penalty, suggesting that even if a thief is caught, they must repay more than what was stolen, reinforcing the idea that restitution is a fundamental aspect of justice.
gillExodus 22:12: "And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof."
And if it be stolen from him,.... Or "but if" (x) it was taken away by theft; and that "from with him" (y), as it may be literally rendered, from among his own cattle, and they not taken; and he being present, pretending to have an eye upon them and keep them, but was careless and negligent, at least, if he did not connive at the theft: he shall make restitution to the owner thereof; for in such a ca…
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,…
This verse highlights that if an animal is stolen from a hired keeper, they must make restitution. The Hebrew phrase suggests the animal was taken "from with him," implying it was stolen from his presence or custody, indicating negligence on his part that could have been prevented.
This passage is part of a larger section of law in Exodus detailing responsibilities when someone's property is damaged or lost while in another's care. It follows laws concerning damage to fields by livestock and fire, and precedes rules about borrowed items. The focus here is on recompense when livestock entrusted for safekeeping disappears due to theft, implying a failure in the keeper's duty to prevent it.
This passage is part of a larger section of law in Exodus detailing responsibilities when someone's property is damaged or lost while in another's care. It follows laws concerning damage to fields by livestock and fire, and precedes rules about borrowed items. The focus here is on recompense when livestock entrusted for safekeeping disappears due to theft, implying a failure in the keeper's duty to prevent it.
"But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner." — This verse highlights that if an animal is stolen from a hired keeper, they must make restitution. The Hebrew phrase suggests the animal was taken "from with him," implying it was stolen from his p…
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Last reviewed October 2026