Chapter 22 of the Book of Exodus continues with the various laws that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. These laws primarily deal with property rights and social justice. The chapter can be summarized as follows:
- Laws about Theft and Property Damage: The chapter begins with regulations regarding theft. If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguilt. However, if this happens after sunrise, there is bloodguilt for the assailant. Restitution is required if an animal is stolen; if the animal is found alive in the thief’s possession, he must pay double. If a thief cannot make restitution, he is to be sold for his theft. If stolen property is found in the thief’s possession, he must pay double.
- Restitution for Grazing or Fire Damage: If a man lets his livestock graze in another’s field or vineyard, or if he lets a fire spread and it burns in another’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
- Borrowing and Custody of Property: Specific laws are given for situations where property is damaged or lost when borrowed or kept in someone else’s custody. If someone borrows an animal and it is injured or dies in the absence of the owner, restitution must be made. But if the owner is with it, there is no need for restitution.
- Social and Moral Laws: The chapter also contains laws regarding seduction, sorcery, bestiality, and idolatry. These laws emphasize social responsibility and moral conduct. For instance, there are stern punishments for those who seduce a virgin and for those who engage in sorcery.
- Laws about Treating Others Fairly: Exodus 22 also includes instructions on treating foreigners, widows, and orphans with respect and fairness. It emphasizes the importance of lending money to the poor without charging interest and not mistreating or oppressing foreigners, as the Israelites were foreigners in Egypt.
- Laws about Respect for God and Leaders: The chapter ends with laws about respect for God and authority figures. It includes instructions for giving the firstfruits to God and prohibitions against blasphemy and cursing the rulers of your people.
1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.
3 If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7 “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
8 If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods.
9 For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, ‘This is mine,’ the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 “If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it;
11 the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.
12 But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.
13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.
14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.
16 “If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18 “You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19 “Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 “He who sacrifices to any god, except to Yahweh only, shall be utterly destroyed.
21 “You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.
22 “You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.
23 If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.
26 If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,
27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.
28 “You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.
“You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me.
30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31 “You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.