The big picture
Exodus 22 opens in verse 1 with “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely…”, and closes in verse 31 with “And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts…” Repeated or prominent terms include sheep, field, surely, good, neighbour. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 31Exodus 22:1-8
1–8: If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he…
Exodus 22:1–8 opens with “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for…” and reaches “If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by field, sheep, restitution.
Context that brings the passage to life
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Exodus 22:1-8
King James Version1If 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.
2If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
3If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
5If 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.
6If 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.
7If 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.
8If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods.
Exodus 22:9-16
9–16: For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep…
Exodus 22:9–16 opens with “For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any…” and reaches “And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by good, owner, neighbour.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Exodus 22:9-16
King James Version9For 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; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
10If 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:
11Then 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.
12And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
13If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
14And 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.
15But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
16And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
Exodus 22:17-24
17–24: If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money…
Exodus 22:17–24 opens with “If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of…” and reaches “And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by afflict, fatherless, surely.
Context that brings the passage to life
“If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Exodus 22:17-24
King James Version17If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
19Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
20He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
21Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Exodus 22:25-31
25–31: If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt…
Exodus 22:25–31 opens with “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an…” and reaches “And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by people, raiment, beasts.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include lend, money, people. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.
“If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:” The line’s distinctive content terms include deliver, goeth, neighbour’s. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.
Exodus 22:25-31
King James Version25If 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.
26If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
27For 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.
28Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
29Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
30Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
31And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 22:1 begins with “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.”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 22:15 forms a natural hinge: “But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.”
The final note
Exodus 22:31 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words sheep, field, surely, good, neighbour, owner help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the reader know that Isaac is not told?
The opening identifies a test. That framing matters for the entire account.
What is actually offered?
A ram provided in place of Isaac. Preserve the difference between the threatened act and the outcome.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.