Deuteronomy 22:1-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:1-4

The kindness that was commanded to be shown in reference to an enemy (Exod. 23:4, 5) is here required to be much more done for a neighbour, though he were not an Israelite, for the law is consonant to natural equity. 1. That strayed cattle should be brought back, either to the owner or to the pasture out of which they had gone astray, Deut. 22:1, 2. This must be done in pity to the very cattle, which, while they wandered, were exposed; and in civility and respect to the owner, nay, and in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:5-12

Here are several laws in these verses which seem to stoop very low, and to take cognizance of things mean and minute. Men's laws commonly do not so: Deut. minimis non curat lex?The law takes no cognizance of little things; but because God's providence extends itself to the smallest affairs, his precepts do so, that even in them we may be in the fear of the Lord, as we are under his eye and care. And yet the significancy and tendency of these statutes, which seem little, are such that,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:1

Thou shall not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray ,.... Or "driven away" F18 נדחים "expulsos", Montanus; "impulsos", Munster; "depulsos", Piscator. ; frightened and starved away from the herd or from the flock by a wolf or dog; and the ox and sheep are put for every other creature a man has, as camels, asses, &c.; which last sort is after mentioned; and a brother means not one in the natural relation of kindred only, for it is supposed, in the next verse, that he might... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:2

And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee ,.... Does not live in the same neighbourhood, but at some considerable distance; so that he cannot soon and easily be informed of his cattle, or they be sent to him: or if thou know him not ; the owner of them, what is his name, or where he lives: then thou shall bring it into thine house ; not into his dwelling house, but some out house, barn, or stable: and it shall be with thee ; remain in his custody, and be taken care of by him; and,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:3

In like manner shall thou do with his ass ,.... As with his ox or sheep when astray, and found, keep it until it is owned, and then restore it; this is expressly mentioned in Exodus 23:4 . and so shalt thou do with his raiment ; if that is lost and found, it must be restored to the owner, he describing it; a garment is particularly mentioned, it is said F1 Bartenora in Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 2. sect. 5. , because in every garment there is a mark or sign by which the owners can... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:4

Thou shall not see thy brother's ox or his ass fall down by the way ,.... And lie under his burden, not being able to rise with it of himself, nor with all the assistance about it, without further help: and hide thyself from them ; cover thine eyes, or turn them another way, and make as if thou didst not see them in distress: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again ; that is, help the brother and owner of it, the ox and ass; assist him in getting them up again, and lay on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:5

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man ,.... It being very unseemly and impudent, and contrary to the modesty of her sex; or there shall not be upon her any "instrument of a man" F6 כלי גבר "instrumentum virile", Pagninus, Junius et Tremellius; "instrumentum viri", Vatablus. , any utensil of his which he makes use of in his trade and business; as if she was employed in it, when her business was not to do the work of men, but to take care of her house and family;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:6

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in any tree, or on the ground ,.... Which are the usual places in which birds build their nests; and this, as Jarchi observes, excepts such nests that are prepared, that is, that are purposely made for fowls kept at home; and with which agrees the Jewish canon, which says F20 Misn. Cholin, c. 12. sect. 1. "the letting go (the dam out of) the nest is not used but of a fowl, and it is not used but of what is not prepared; what is that which is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:7

But thou shall in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee ,.... Or "in letting go, let go", or "in sending, send away" F1 שלח תשלח "dimittendo dimittes", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so Ainsworth. ; that is, willingly, certainly, entirely, frequently, always; so the Jewish canons F2 Misn. Cholin, c. 12. sect. 3. ,"if anyone lets her go, and she returns, even four or five times, he is obliged to let her go, as it is said, "in letting go, let go";'nay, Maimonides... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 22:8

When thou buildest a new house ,.... Which is to be understood of a house to dwell in, not of a granary, barn, or stable, or such like, and every house that is not four cubits square, as Maimonides observes F6 Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 11. sect. 1. : then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof ; in the Talmud F7 T. Bab. Cholin, fol. 136. 1. So Maimonides, ib. sect. 2. it is asked, what is the meaning of, or why is it said, "thy roof?" to except synagogues and schools; the gloss... read more

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