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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:6

Verse 6 6.If fire break out and catch in thorns. This injury is somewhat different from the foregoing, for he who kindles the fire is commanded to make good the damage done by him, although there may have been no willful intention to do harm. For the incendiary who had maliciously destroyed either a cornfield or a vineyard was to be far more severely punished; here, however, mere carelessness is punished. Although no mention is made either of house or barn, still the law includes all similar... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:7

Verse 7 7.If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money. It is here determined under what circumstances an action for theft would lie in case of a deposit, viz., if an inanimate thing, as a garment or furniture, be given ill charge, and the person with whom it is deposited should allege that it is stolen, God commands that, if the thief be discovered, he should pay double; but, if not, that an oath should be required of the man who declares that the thing has been stolen from him. But, if it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:1-16

Restitution. We have to mark again in this chapter with how even a hand the law of Moses holds the scales of justice. The cases ruled by the principle of restitution are the following:— I. THEFT ( Exodus 22:1-5 ). The illustrations in the law relate to thefts of cattle. But the principles embodied apply to thefts generally (cf. Exodus 22:7 ). Note— 1 . The law which punishes the theft, protects the thief's life. It refuses, indeed, to be responsible for him in the event of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:1-31

Exodus 21:33 If a man shall open a pit. Rather, "If a man shall uncover a cistern." Cisterns, very necessary in Palestine, were usually closed by a flat-stone, or a number of planks. To obtain water from them, they had to be uncovered; but it was the duty of the man who uncovered them, to replace the covering when his wants were satisfied. Or dig a pit and not cover it . A man who was making a cistern might neglect to cover it while it was in course of construction, or even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:5

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten .—Rather "to be eaten of ," or "to be browsed upon." And shall feed .—Rather, "and it shall feed." Of the best , etc.—This means that, without reference to the quality of the crop damaged, the injurer should forfeit an equal amount of his own best produce. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:5-6

The law of love forbids all injury to a neighbour. There are many who would scorn to steal the property of a neighbour, who yet make light of injuring it in other ways, as by trespass, or by negligence. But if we love our neighbour we shall be anxious not to injure him in any way. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour." lie that allows his cattle to pasture in a neighbour's field, or his hares and rabbits to spoil a neighbour's crops, or his poultry to break bounds and damage a neighbour's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:6

If fire break out .—It is usual in the East (as in England) to burn the weeds on a farm at certain seasons of the year. When this is done, there is always a danger, in the dry parched-up Eastern lands, of the fire spreading, and carotid watch has to be kept. If this watch were neglected, a neighbour's sheaves or standing corn might be seriously damaged or even destroyed. The law punished such carelessness, by requiring the man who had kindled the fire to make restitution. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:7

Stuff .—Literally "vessels"—but the word is used in a very wide sense, of almost any inanimate movables. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:7-8

The sacred character of trusts. The main teaching of this third paragraph of Exodus 22:1-31 . is the sacred character of human trusts. Men are taught that they must carefully guard the property of others when committed to their charge, and religiously restore it upon demand to its rightful owner. No conversion of such property to the use of the trustee, under any circumstances whatever, is to be tolerated. The principle laid down with respect to ancient, will apply equally to modern,... read more

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