Exodus 22

“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 a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.” 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 the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.” 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.

“If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed…” 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 deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if 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 the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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.

“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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beast, deliver, driven. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“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.

“And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.” 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.

“And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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 command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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.

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Naming Egypt and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;” The line’s distinctive content terms include afflict, hear, surely. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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.

“For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.