Exodus 22:7-17

Exodus 22:7-Esther : E. Breach of Trust.— A man going on a journey would make his neighbour his banker. If the money or valuables were stolen, the thief, if found, was to pay double ( Exodus 22:7); otherwise the surety must purge himself of the crime by oath at the local sanctuary ( Exodus 22:8). A similar procedure, including some ordeal or divining process, was to be used when lost property was found under suspicious circumstances ( Exodus 22:9). Where any mischance happened to an animal left in a man’ s charge, he might free himself from blame by taking “ the oath of Yahweh” ( Exodus 22:10 f.), just as among the Arabs still, according to Burckhardt and Doughty. If he let it be stolen, he must make restitution; but if it was torn by wild beasts ( cf. Genesis 31:39), he had only to produce the carcase to escape blame, as in Bab. and Indian law. If harm befell a borrowed animal, the hirer must make it good, unless its owner was in charge of it ( Exodus 22:14 f.). Seduction was regarded as damage to the father of the girl, and compensation required equal to the usual marriage gift (not “ dowry” ), as in Genesis 34:12, with marriage unless the father refuse. Probably the Judgments end here.