Exodus 22:8-9 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:8

If the thief be not found .—It is not clear what was to be done in this case. Kalisch supposes that it came under the law of the oath ( Exodus 22:10 ), and that if the man entrusted with the deposit swore that he had not embezzled it, he was let go free. But as stolen cattle were to be compensated for to the owner ( Exodus 22:12 ), it would seem to be more consistent that stolen money or chattels should also have been made good. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:9

For all manner of trespass .—It has been supposed that this refers to "every case of theft ;" but Kalisch is probably right in restricting it to cases where a person was accused of having embezzled property committed to his care. He was in that case to appear before the judges ( Exodus 18:23 ), together with his accuser, and to clear himself if he could. When he failed to do so, and was "condemned," he was bound to restore double . Which another challenges to be his .—Rather, "which a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 22:8

It would appear that if the master of the house would clear himself of imputation, the loss of the pledged article fell upon its owner. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 22:9

All manner of trespass - He who was accused, and he who had lost the stolen property, were both to appear before the judges Exodus 18:25-26. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 22:7-13

Exodus 22:7-13. If a man deliver goods, suppose to a carrier to be conveyed, or to a warehouse-keeper to be preserved, or cattle to a farmer to be fed, upon a valuable consideration, and a special confidence reposed in the person they are lodged with, in case these goods be stolen or lost, perish or be damaged, if it appear that it was not by any fault of the trustee, the owner must stand to the loss; otherwise, he that has been false to his trust must be compelled to make satisfaction. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 22:1-17

Laws about repayment (22:1-17)A convicted thief had to return stolen goods and pay a fine in the form of an additional compensation to the owner. The more serious the crime, the heavier the fine. If the thief could not make the payment, he himself became the payment by becoming the slave of the one whose goods he had stolen. It was not lawful to kill a thief caught in the act, unless at night, when self-defence could make such action excusable. Normally the thief was to be captured and brought... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 22:9

trespass = rebellion. Hebrew. Pash'a. App-44 . before the judges. Hebrew. ha-'elohim = " gods". See App-4 , and note on Exodus 21:6 . Or, before God (the judges representing Him), and acting in His stead, according to Romans 13:1-6 . See this usage (with the Article), Exodus 21:6 ; Exodus 22:8 , Exodus 22:28 . See Exodus 18:15-19 and compare Psalms 82:1 , Psalms 82:6 . John 10:34 , John 10:35 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 22:7-9

"If a man shall deliver unto his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, he shall pay double. If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall come near unto God, to see whether he have not put his hand unto his neighbor' s goods. For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, whereof one saith, This is it, the cause of both parties shall come before God;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 22:7-15

Next we have four cases involving property held in custody. In the Hammurabi Code the penalty for losing or allowing a thief to steal what someone else had committed to one’s trust was death [Note: Ibid., section 9.] as was falsely accusing someone of this crime. [Note: Ibid., section 11.] The Torah required only twofold payment in both situations (Exodus 22:9).Second, if what someone entrusted to his neighbor for safekeeping perished by accident (Exodus 22:10-13) the neighbor was not... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:1-31

The Book of the Covenant (continued)1. Four sheep] The larger compensation required in the case of the ox is probably due to the fact that it is an animal used for labour, and of proportionately higher value, therefore, than a sheep: cp. 2 Samuel 12:6. 2. Breaking up] RV ’breaking in.’ 3. If the sun be risen upon him] i.e. if the housebreaking be committed in daylight. The nocturnal burglar is more dangerous and cannot be so easily detected. In a case of daylight robbery it is less necessary to... read more