Important notice: Always check out what you hear and see for yourself, as it is up to you as a Christian to do your own studying. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website here, without first always checking it out for yourself. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Exodus 22
1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
As we can see, it doesn't pay to do wrong. Note that five in Biblical numerics symbolizes grace.
2 If a thief be found breaking up (= burglary), and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
In other words, if a thief is caught breaking into someone's home and the owner kills the thief out of self-defense, then the owner is not charged for murder as that would be considered self-defense.
3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him (Why? Because that would then be pre-meditated murder); for he should make full restitution (i.e. the thief is to pay everything back); if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft (i.e. the thief is to be sold as a slave).
4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
In other words, if the animals are still alive when the thief is found, then the thief is only to repay double to the owner, whereas if the thief steals the animals and kills them, whereby they can sell the meat and make a profit, then they are to repay the owner with five oxen and four sheep as we saw in verse one.
5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
As we can see, if a man allows his animal to feed in another person's field or vineyard, then the owner of the animal is to repay the person whose field or vineyard got eaten with the best of their own field and vineyard.
6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
And again, these are just simple commonsense laws. If you mess up somebody's stuff, you are to replace it.
7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
Here we see the example given of a man having someone else watch over his stuff and while that someone is watching his stuff, it gets stolen; if the thief is found, then the thief is to pay back double.
8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house (= the one watching over the stuff) shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods (i.e. to see if the master watching the stuff took it himself).
9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges (= ʼĕlôhîym [hereby letting us know these judges represent GOD); and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
And so it is, if someone believes someone else took their items, and that other person being accused of denies it, then both people will go to court and have a trial whereby the evidence can be examined and the one found guilty will be charged double.
10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it (i.e. no witnesses to know what happened to it):
11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good (i.e. no restitution is to be made).
In other words, the neighbor who was watching over the animal is to swear that he had nothing to do with the death, injury, or disappearance of the animal they were watching over.
12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
In other words, the one who was watching over the animal is to repay the owner if their animal is stolen while they were supposed to be watching over it for them. Some might think this a little unfair but clearly it isn't unfair at all. The one watching over it should have watched over it better, like it was their own, and if they didn't want the responsibility, they shouldn't have accepted it in the first place. For example, this would be like you giving your smart phone or car for someone you know to watch over today while you are away and then you come back to find that they no longer have it; how would you like knowing they weren't responsible for it and now you have to fork out a ton of money? Unless you're beyond wealthy, for most people it wouldn't settle with them too well which is why this law is written, and especially if you knew it was stolen by the person you trusted to watch over it.
13 If it be torn in pieces (i.e. killed by some other animal), then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn (i.e. no restitution is to be made).
14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
In other words, if a neighbor borrows someone else's livestock and it dies without the owner of the livestock being around, then that neighbor that borrowed the livestock is to make restitution. And not only does this apply to livestock but pretty much anything a neighbor borrows; even if it's tools. If they break it, they pay for it.
15 But if the owner thereof be with it (i.e. the owner is around at the time), he shall not make it good: if it be an hired (i.e. rented) thing, it came for his hire.
So as we can see, if the owner was around at the time and the animal died or became injured, then the neighbor who hired the owner for whatever service it may be, does not have to make restitution, or if the neighbor rented the animal, and the animal became injured or died, then the money he paid to rent it is enough as it is whereby they don't have to make restitution.
16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed (i.e. she's a virgin), and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
In other words, if they sleep together, then they're married.
17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
In other words, if the father of the virgin doesn't like it and refuses to let her go, then the man that married his daughter is to pay him, which would be fifty shekels of silver (Deuteronomy 22:28-29). If he didn't want to get married, then he shouldn't have laid with her.
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
A witch is any man or woman who used witchcraft and would speak to demons (i.e. fallen angels/evil spirits).
19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Refers to bestiality.
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Although the nations of this world do not abide by this law today, there is coming a time at the great white throne judgment when all those who have committed idolatry and worship their own god/s will be utterly destroyed, along with satan himself in the lake of fire. If you're not worshiping YHVH (GOD), then you're worshiping satan, and remember the best form of worship to our HEAVENLY FATHER is always obedience, and the only way to HIM is through the SON (YESHUA [JESUS CHRIST], see John 14:6) and having a personal relationship with HIM.
21 Thou shalt neither vex (i.e. maltreat) a stranger (i.e. a foreigner), nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
In other words, don't maltreat or oppress a stranger/foreigner. GOD is reminding the children of Israel here of when they were strangers themselves in Egypt; HE's telling them to treat others the way they wish the Egyptians had treated them.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
And so it is, if you cause pain or suffering to someone else, especially as we see here to a widow or fatherless child, then you can be assured the wrath of GOD will be against you. Again, no evilness stands a chance against our HEAVENLY FATHER. You will reap what you sow. Galatians 6:7-8 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting".
25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
In other words, if someone is poor, do not charge them interest.
26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
In other words, if you agree with someone to take their clothing or blanket as a pledge for borrowing money or whatever it may be, it shall be returned unto them in the evenings, whereby they aren't suffering in the night due to being cold.
28 Thou shalt not revile the gods (i.e. judges), nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Why? Because these judges and rulers were setup by our HEAVENLY FATHER, which is why the word "gods" here is ʼĕlôhîym in the Hebrew. Also if you do that and you're on trial, it's not going to go too well with you in there.
29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits , and of thy liquors (e.g. wine): the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me (i.e. give unto GOD in servitude [see Exodus 13:2]).
Here we see a shadow of the things that came as even today, spiritually speaking, we are to always give GOD our first fruits (i.e. our best in life), not our leftovers; which applies to our time we spend studying HIS WORD and worshiping HIM, and even our finances. In all that you do, always put GOD first and everything else will fall into place at just the right timing, as HIS timing is always perfect.
30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam (i.e. mother); on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
Eight being symbolic of spiritual completeness and eight representing new beginnings in Biblical numerics.
31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
In other words, if an animal is killed by another animal, then it is to be given unto the dogs. Why? Because that meat could have bacteria on it that could make you sick or kill you.
As we can see, it doesn't pay to do wrong. Note that five in Biblical numerics symbolizes grace.
2 If a thief be found breaking up (= burglary), and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
In other words, if a thief is caught breaking into someone's home and the owner kills the thief out of self-defense, then the owner is not charged for murder as that would be considered self-defense.
3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him (Why? Because that would then be pre-meditated murder); for he should make full restitution (i.e. the thief is to pay everything back); if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft (i.e. the thief is to be sold as a slave).
4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
In other words, if the animals are still alive when the thief is found, then the thief is only to repay double to the owner, whereas if the thief steals the animals and kills them, whereby they can sell the meat and make a profit, then they are to repay the owner with five oxen and four sheep as we saw in verse one.
5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
As we can see, if a man allows his animal to feed in another person's field or vineyard, then the owner of the animal is to repay the person whose field or vineyard got eaten with the best of their own field and vineyard.
6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
And again, these are just simple commonsense laws. If you mess up somebody's stuff, you are to replace it.
7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
Here we see the example given of a man having someone else watch over his stuff and while that someone is watching his stuff, it gets stolen; if the thief is found, then the thief is to pay back double.
8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house (= the one watching over the stuff) shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods (i.e. to see if the master watching the stuff took it himself).
9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges (= ʼĕlôhîym [hereby letting us know these judges represent GOD); and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
And so it is, if someone believes someone else took their items, and that other person being accused of denies it, then both people will go to court and have a trial whereby the evidence can be examined and the one found guilty will be charged double.
10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it (i.e. no witnesses to know what happened to it):
11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good (i.e. no restitution is to be made).
In other words, the neighbor who was watching over the animal is to swear that he had nothing to do with the death, injury, or disappearance of the animal they were watching over.
12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
In other words, the one who was watching over the animal is to repay the owner if their animal is stolen while they were supposed to be watching over it for them. Some might think this a little unfair but clearly it isn't unfair at all. The one watching over it should have watched over it better, like it was their own, and if they didn't want the responsibility, they shouldn't have accepted it in the first place. For example, this would be like you giving your smart phone or car for someone you know to watch over today while you are away and then you come back to find that they no longer have it; how would you like knowing they weren't responsible for it and now you have to fork out a ton of money? Unless you're beyond wealthy, for most people it wouldn't settle with them too well which is why this law is written, and especially if you knew it was stolen by the person you trusted to watch over it.
13 If it be torn in pieces (i.e. killed by some other animal), then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn (i.e. no restitution is to be made).
14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
In other words, if a neighbor borrows someone else's livestock and it dies without the owner of the livestock being around, then that neighbor that borrowed the livestock is to make restitution. And not only does this apply to livestock but pretty much anything a neighbor borrows; even if it's tools. If they break it, they pay for it.
15 But if the owner thereof be with it (i.e. the owner is around at the time), he shall not make it good: if it be an hired (i.e. rented) thing, it came for his hire.
So as we can see, if the owner was around at the time and the animal died or became injured, then the neighbor who hired the owner for whatever service it may be, does not have to make restitution, or if the neighbor rented the animal, and the animal became injured or died, then the money he paid to rent it is enough as it is whereby they don't have to make restitution.
16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed (i.e. she's a virgin), and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
In other words, if they sleep together, then they're married.
17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
In other words, if the father of the virgin doesn't like it and refuses to let her go, then the man that married his daughter is to pay him, which would be fifty shekels of silver (Deuteronomy 22:28-29). If he didn't want to get married, then he shouldn't have laid with her.
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
A witch is any man or woman who used witchcraft and would speak to demons (i.e. fallen angels/evil spirits).
19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Refers to bestiality.
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Although the nations of this world do not abide by this law today, there is coming a time at the great white throne judgment when all those who have committed idolatry and worship their own god/s will be utterly destroyed, along with satan himself in the lake of fire. If you're not worshiping YHVH (GOD), then you're worshiping satan, and remember the best form of worship to our HEAVENLY FATHER is always obedience, and the only way to HIM is through the SON (YESHUA [JESUS CHRIST], see John 14:6) and having a personal relationship with HIM.
21 Thou shalt neither vex (i.e. maltreat) a stranger (i.e. a foreigner), nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
In other words, don't maltreat or oppress a stranger/foreigner. GOD is reminding the children of Israel here of when they were strangers themselves in Egypt; HE's telling them to treat others the way they wish the Egyptians had treated them.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
And so it is, if you cause pain or suffering to someone else, especially as we see here to a widow or fatherless child, then you can be assured the wrath of GOD will be against you. Again, no evilness stands a chance against our HEAVENLY FATHER. You will reap what you sow. Galatians 6:7-8 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting".
25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
In other words, if someone is poor, do not charge them interest.
26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
In other words, if you agree with someone to take their clothing or blanket as a pledge for borrowing money or whatever it may be, it shall be returned unto them in the evenings, whereby they aren't suffering in the night due to being cold.
28 Thou shalt not revile the gods (i.e. judges), nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Why? Because these judges and rulers were setup by our HEAVENLY FATHER, which is why the word "gods" here is ʼĕlôhîym in the Hebrew. Also if you do that and you're on trial, it's not going to go too well with you in there.
29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits , and of thy liquors (e.g. wine): the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me (i.e. give unto GOD in servitude [see Exodus 13:2]).
Here we see a shadow of the things that came as even today, spiritually speaking, we are to always give GOD our first fruits (i.e. our best in life), not our leftovers; which applies to our time we spend studying HIS WORD and worshiping HIM, and even our finances. In all that you do, always put GOD first and everything else will fall into place at just the right timing, as HIS timing is always perfect.
30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam (i.e. mother); on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
Eight being symbolic of spiritual completeness and eight representing new beginnings in Biblical numerics.
31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
In other words, if an animal is killed by another animal, then it is to be given unto the dogs. Why? Because that meat could have bacteria on it that could make you sick or kill you.