Exodus 22:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 22:7-15

These laws are, I. Concerning trusts, Exod. 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 if a special confidence be 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 this trust... read more

John Gill

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

If the thief be not found ,.... And so no account can be given of the goods deposited, what is become of them, and it becomes a doubtful case whether they have been stolen or embezzled, and there is suspicion of the latter: then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges : here called Elohim, gods, because they were God's vicegerents, and represented him, and acted under his power and authority; and who at this present were Moses, and those that judged the people under him,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 22:8

Unto the judges - See Clarke's note on Exodus 21:6 . 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 22:7-8

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 22:7-13

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

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